Abstract
Objective: The goal of this study was to test the feasibility of administering subtests of the EFPT to stroke survivors in the acute phase of stroke to detect executive function deficits.
Participants: A population of adults with mild to moderate stroke (N=20).
Methods: This study employed a cross-sectional design using the EFPT and a neuropsychological battery immediately post-stroke.
Results: Overall EFPT performance significantly correlated with 3 of the 13 DKEFS scaled scores: Sorting (r=−0.511, p=0.030), Verbal Fluency (r= −0.474, p=0.035) and Color-Word Interference (r= −0.566, p=0.011) and the Short Blessed Test (r = 0.548, p=0.012). Multiple significant correlations were also found between EFPT-bill paying and cooking subtests and DKEFS subtests.
Conclusions: Performance on the EFPT one-week post stroke was very similar to what was found in a prior study validating the EFPT in stroke survivors at 6-months post-onset. The results of this study provide evidence to the support conducting a follow-up study in the acute care setting using the bill paying subtest of the EFPT along with a neuropsychological battery, to augment discharge planning.