Measurement of problem-solving deficits in adults with acquired brain damage

Objective: To compare the relative utility of conventional neuropsychologic al and social problem-solving approaches to measuring functional problem so lving deficits in individuals with acquired brain damage (ABD). Design: In Study I, scores fur individuals with ABD were compared to scores for contro l and normative samples. In Study II, pre- and posttest scores were compare d for individuals with ABD who completed a program of outpatient cognitive rehabilitation. Participants: In Stud) I. individuals with ABD were compare d to healthy controls. In Study II, pre- and posttreatment assessments were obtained for 34 individuals with ABD. Main Outcome Measures: Tao approache s were used, conventional neuropsychological (WAIS-R/II Comprehension subte st and Wisconsin Card Sorting Test) and social problem solving (Problem Sol ving Inventory and Rusk Problem Solving Role Play Test). Results: In Study I, the ABD group demonstrated significant deficits on both social problem s olving measures: however, neither conventional neuropsychological measure d etected significant deficits In the ABD group, relative to control and norm ative groups. In Stud) II, significant treatment gains were demonstrated on both social problem-solving measures, however neither conventional neurops ychological measure was sensitive to improvements in functional problem-sol ving ability Conclusions: In higher-level cognitive rehabilitation settings , the evaluation of functional problem solving deficits in individuals with ABD can be facilitated by augmenting neuropsychological test data with res ults from social problem-solving measures.