CC BY 4.0 · Indian Journal of Neurosurgery 2024; 13(01): 020-026
DOI: 10.1055/s-0042-1757918
Original Article

Gender Differences in Executive Functions of Patients Operated for Mild to Moderate Epidural Hematoma

Shweta Singh
1   Department of Psychiatry, King George's Medical University, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India
,
1   Department of Psychiatry, King George's Medical University, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India
,
Adarsh Tripathi
1   Department of Psychiatry, King George's Medical University, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India
,
2   Department of Neurosurgery, King Georges Medical University, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India
,
Amandeep Singh
1   Department of Psychiatry, King George's Medical University, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India
› Author Affiliations

Abstract

Background Impairment in neurocognitive functions are commonly followed by Epidural hematoma (EDH) . This cross-sectional study was aimed to study gender differences in neurocognitive functions in mild to moderate epidural hematoma patients (43 male and 19 female patients) post-surgery using standardized assessment tools of comprehensive neurocognitive function attention, speed, working memory, fluency, set-shifting, perseveration, planning and response inhibition.

Methods Descriptive statistics, i.e., mean and standard deviation (SD) values were computed, and a t-test was applied for further exploration.

Results The analysis of results shows that on the test of working memory, female group scored better as significant differences were found on N-Back (2 Back versions) and digit span-backward. On the verbal fluency test (COWA), significant difference was found as females scored higher than the male group on total responses. However, the male group was higher in total time and error than the female group on the test of sustained attention and divided attention.

Conclusion This study shows interesting results in terms of gender differences in executive function of patients operated for mild to moderate epidural hematoma. These findings have significant clinical and implications for planning intervention. The neuropsychological rehabilitation of patients operated for mild to moderate epidural hematoma has a crucial role in enhancing their recovery and overall functioning. Inputs about gender differences in neuro psychological functioning of these patients would help in decision making regarding neuropsychological rehabilitation incorporating the gender related differences too in their intervention plan.



Publication History

Article published online:
23 December 2022

© 2022. The Author(s). This is an open access article published by Thieme under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, permitting unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction so long as the original work is properly cited. (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)

Thieme Medical and Scientific Publishers Pvt. Ltd.
A-12, 2nd Floor, Sector 2, Noida-201301 UP, India

 
  • References

  • 1 Ma C, Wu X, Shen X. et al. Sex differences in traumatic brain injury: a multi-dimensional exploration in genes, hormones, cells, individuals, and society. Chin Neurosurg J 2019; 5 (01) 24
  • 2 Tamburrelli FC, Meluzio MC, Masci G, Perna A, Burrofato A, Proietti L. Etiopathogenesis of traumatic spinal epidural hematoma. Neurospine 2018; 15 (01) 101-107
  • 3 Ashman TA, Spielman LA, Hibbard MR, Silver JM, Chandna T, Gordon WA. Psychiatric challenges in the first 6 years after traumatic brain injury: cross-sequential analyses of Axis I disorders. Arch Phys Med Rehabil 2004; 85 (4, Suppl 2) S36-S42
  • 4 Ponsford J, Schönberger M. Family functioning and emotional state two and five years after traumatic brain injury. J Int Neuropsychol Soc 2010; 16 (02) 306-317
  • 5 Graf RG, Riddell JC. Sex differences in problem solving as a function of problem context. J Educ Res 1972; 65: 451-452
  • 6 Gold D, Berger C. Problem solving performance of young boys and girls as a function of task appropriateness and sex identity. Sex Roles 1978; 4: 183-193
  • 7 Schopp LH, Shigaki CL, Johnstone B, Kirkpatrick HA. Gender differences in cognitive and emotional adjustment to traumatic brain injury. J Clin Psychol Med Settings 2001; 8 (03) 181-188
  • 8 Niemeier JP, Marwitz JH, Lesher K, Walker WC, Bushnik T. Gender differences in executive functions following traumatic brain injury. Neuropsychol Rehabil 2007; 17 (03) 293-313
  • 9 Covassin T, Bay E. Are there gender differences in cognitive function, chronic stress, and neurobehavioral symptoms after mild-to-moderate traumatic brain injury?. J Neurosci Nurs 2012; 44 (03) 124-133
  • 10 Broshek DK, Kaushik T, Freeman JR, Erlanger D, Webbe F, Barth JT. Sex differences in outcome following sports-related concussion. J Neurosurg 2005; 102 (05) 856-863
  • 11 Harness A, Jacot L, Scherf S, White A, Warnick JE. Sex differences in working memory. Psychol Rep 2008; 103 (01) 214-218
  • 12 Jennett B, Snoek J, Bond MR, Brooks N. Disability after severe head injury: observations on the use of the Glasgow Outcome Scale. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry 1981; 44 (04) 285-293
  • 13 Sheehan D, Janavs J, Baker R, Harnett-Sheehan K, Knapp E, Sheehan M. Mini international neuropsychiatric interview (Version 6.0. 0). Tampa, U.S.A. Paris, France: Centre Hospitalier Sainte-Anne: University of South Florida College of Medicine; 2009
  • 14 Rao SL, Subbakrishna DK, Gopukumar KNIMHANS. Neuropsychology battery-2004, manual. National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences; 2004
  • 15 Rey A. L'examen Clinique en Psychologie,. Paris: Presses universitaires de France; 1964
  • 16 Rey A. L'examen psychologique dans les cas d'encephalopathie traumatique. Arch Psychol 1941; 28: 286-340
  • 17 Wechsler D. WAIS-III Administration and Scoring Manual. San Antonio, TX: The Psychological Corporation; 1997
  • 18 Berg EA. A simple objective technique for measuring flexibility in thinking. J Gen Psychol 1948; 39: 15-22
  • 19 Gautam S, Nijhawan M, Kamal P. Standardisation of hindi version of goldbergs general health questionnaire. Indian J Psychiatry 1987; 29 (01) 63-66
  • 20 Scott JG, Schoenberg MR. . Frontal lobe/executive functioning. In: Schoenberg MR, Scott JG, eds. The Little Black Book of Neuropsychology: A Syndrome-Based Approach. 2010:219–248
  • 21 van der Naalt J, van Zomeren AH, Sluiter WJ, Minderhoud JM. Acute behavioural disturbances related to imaging studies and outcome in mild-to-moderate head injury. Brain Inj 2000; 14 (09) 781-788
  • 22 Buffery A, Gray J. Sex differences in the development of spatial and linguistic skills. In Ounsted C, Taylor D. eds. Gender Differences, their Ontogeny and Significance. London: Churchill Livingstone; 1972: 123-158
  • 23 Levy J. Lateral specialization of the human brain: Behavioral manifestations and possible evolutionary basis. In: Kiger JAJ, Corvallis OR. eds. The Biology of Behavior. Oregon State University Press; 1972: 159-180
  • 24 Levy J. Lateral differences in the human brain in cognition and behavioural control. In: Buser P, Rougeul-Buser A. eds. Cerebral Correlates of Conscious Experience. New York, NY: North Holland Publishing Co.; 1998: 285-298
  • 25 Speck O, Ernst T, Braun J, Koch C, Miller E, Chang L. Gender differences in the functional organization of the brain for working memory. Neuroreport 2000; 11 (11) 2581-2585
  • 26 Stumpf H. Gender differences in performance on tests of cognitive abilities: experimental design issues and empirical results. Learn Individ Differ 1995; 7 (04) 275-287
  • 27 Donders J, Hoffman NM. Gender differences in learning and memory after pediatric traumatic brain injury. Neuropsychology 2002; 16 (04) 491-499
  • 28 Wigfield A, Eccles JS. The development of competence beliefs, expectancies for success, and achievement values from childhood through adolescence. In: Wigfield A, Eccles JS. eds. Development of Achievement Motivation. San Diego, CA: Academic Press; 2002: 91-97
  • 29 Downing K, Chan S, Downing W, Kwong T, Lam T. Measuring gender differences in cognitive functioning. Multicult Educ Technol J 2008; 2 (01) 4-18
  • 30 Herlitz A, Rehnman J. Sex differences in episodic memory. Curr Dir Psychol Sci 2008; 17 (01) 52-56
  • 31 Wang B. Gender difference in recognition memory for neutral and emotional faces. Memory 2013; 21 (08) 991-1003
  • 32 Brodsky MB, McNeil MR, Doyle PJ, Fossett TR, Timm NH, Park GH. Auditory serial position effects in story retelling for non-brain-injured participants and persons with aphasia. J Speech Lang Hear Res 2003; 46 (05) 1124-1137
  • 33 Andreou G, Vlachos F, Andreou E. Affecting factors in second language learning. J Psycholinguist Res 2005; 34 (05) 429-438
  • 34 Bengtson M, Martin R, Sawrie S. et al. Gender, memory, and hippocampal volumes: Relationships in temporal lobe epilepsy. Epilepsy Behav 2000; 1 (02) 112-119
  • 35 Palermo L, Cinelli MC, Piccardi L. et al. Women outperform men in remembering to remember. Q J Exp Psychol (Hove) 2016; 69 (01) 65-74
  • 36 Boone KB, Ghaffarian S, Lesser IM, Hill-Gutierrez E, Berman NG. Wisconsin Card Sorting Test performance in healthy, older adults: relationship to age, sex, education, and IQ. J Clin Psychol 1993; 49 (01) 54-60
  • 37 Sherer M, Nick TG, Sander AM. et al. Race and productivity outcome after traumatic brain injury: influence of confounding factors. J Head Trauma Rehabil 2003; 18 (05) 408-424
  • 38 Geraldina P, Mariarosaria L, Annarita A. et al. Neuropsychiatric sequelae in TBI: a comparison across different age groups. Brain Inj 2003; 17 (10) 835-846
  • 39 Gerhart KA, Mellick DC, Weintraub AH. Violence-related traumatic brain injury: a population-based study. J Trauma 2003; 55 (06) 1045-1053
  • 40 Solianik R, Brazaitis M, Skurvydas A. Sex-related differences in attention and memory. Medicina (Kaunas) 2016; 52 (06) 372-377