A Qualitative Analysis of Central Executive Disorders in a Real-life Work Situation

Abstract

This paper addresses the problem of understanding the performance of an individual with traumatic brain injury (TBI) in a real-life work situation. The approach is based on a four-component problem-solving model: analysis, formulation of a solution, planning, and monitoring. Four target and control tests were selected to measure performance of each component and their underlying cognitive processes. Participants were seven adults with severe TBI and seven paired normal controls. Performances on neuropsychological tests were compared with those on four corresponding work tasks on a photocopy machine. Performance of the control group was superior to that of the TBI group on the tests and tasks. Inter-individual comparisons on work tasks revealed various patterns of deficits, suggesting the partial independence of problem-solving components. Specific associations between tests and photocopy tasks were not as predicted. Some alternative explanations raised by qualitative observations are discussed.