Hoekstra, Frea (2024) Linguistic Features of Verbal Fluency and Higher-Order Cognitive Functions in Low-Grade Glioma Patients. Master thesis, Psychology.
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Abstract
Objective: The aim of the study was twofold: 1) to examine differences in linguistic features of verbal fluency, which includes the number of switches and number and size of clusters, between patients with a low grade-glioma (LGG) and healthy controls (HC); 2) to investigate if these linguistic features are related to higher-order cognitive functions, including emotion recognition and executive functions, in LGG patients. Research into linguistic features of verbal fluency can be valuable in the diagnosis of language problems in LGG as it provides information into how cognitive processes are organized in LGG patients. Methods: LGG patients completed a neuropsychological assessment measuring language, emotion recognition and executive functions. ANCOVAs were used to compare performances between LGG patients and HC on specific linguistic features of both semantic and phonemic fluency tests. In LGG patients, Spearman’s rho correlations were performed to examine associations between the linguistic features and higher-order cognitive functions. Results: 17 (23.6%) of 72 LGG patients showed impairments in semantic fluency, and 15 (20.8%) in phonemic fluency. Looking at the linguistic features of verbal fluency, significant differences were found between LGG patients and HC. LGG patients switched less often in semantic fluency and produced fewer words, formed smaller clusters and had a smaller cluster size in phonemic fluency, compared to HC. In LGG patients, various linguistic features of verbal fluency in both semantic and phonemic fluency appeared to be related to executive functions and emotion recognition. Discussion: Impairments in language, executive functions and emotion recognition were identified in part of the LGG patients. The verbal fluency test requires multiple cognitive capacities. Lower performance could indicate a general underlying process of reduced brain capacities in LGG patients. Future research should focus on linguistic features of verbal fluency as this might deepen our knowledge about how cognitive processes are organized and affected by having an LGG.
| Item Type: | Thesis (Master) |
|---|---|
| Supervisor name: | Siebenga, F.F. |
| Degree programme: | Psychology |
| Differentiation route: | Clinical Neuropsychology (CN) [Master Psychology] |
| Date Deposited: | 17 May 2024 11:58 |
| Last Modified: | 17 May 2024 11:58 |
| URI: | http://gmwpublic.studenttheses.ub.rug.nl/id/eprint/3354 |
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