NEUROPSYCHOLOGICAL ASSESSMENT IN REHABILITATION - CURRENT LIMITATIONSAND APPLICATIONS

Neuropsychological assessment is a standard procedure for rehabilitati on patients with cognitive dysfunction. However, the use of neuropsych ological evaluations in rehabilitation settings is limited as the most commonly used measures were originally developed for diagnostic purpo ses with an emphasis on localization/lateralization of lesions and des cription of brain-behavior relationships. As a result, the functional (versus diagnostic) utility of neuropsychological evaluations is quest ionable at best. Furthermore, neuropsychological evaluation in rehabil itation settings will continue to be of limited utility as long as INS -APA Division 40 guidelines continue to emphasize training in neurolog ic and neuroanatomic factors, with minimal attention to rehabilitation issues and resources. Several factors necessitate the use of neuropsy chological evaluations for functional rather than diagnostic purposes, including advances in neuroradiological evaluation, the growth of reh abilitation facilities given increased survival rates for brain injure d patients, and an associated greater need for psychological services for these patients. Suggestions are offered for improving the function al utility of neuropsychological evaluations, as well as more effectiv e ways to train neuropsychologists in rehabilitation issues and interv entions.