Attentional and executive functioning following mild traumatic brain injury in children using the Test for Attentional Performance (TAP) battery

Abstract

The interpretation of the data regarding cognitive outcome in children who have suffered from mild traumatic brain injury (MTBI) remains currently controversial. The aim of the present study is to explore attentional and executive functioning in 6–12-year-old children who experienced a MTBI. A total of 15 children with MTBI and 15 matched noninjured children participated in the study. Attentional tasks using the Test for Attentional Performance battery were administered one year after the injury. In comparison to the noninjury children, MTBI children performed less accurately on selective attentional and updating tasks. These preliminary findings support the view that MTBI can have an impact on specific attentional functioning in children one year postinjury.

Keywords:

• Mild traumatic brain injury
• Children
• Executive functions
• Attentional functions
• Test for Attentional Performance