Adapting the ‘Zoo Map’ test of executive function in children
Research type
Research Study
Full title
The accessibility of an adapted version of the Zoo Map subtest of the Behavioural Assessment of the Dysexecutive Syndrome for Children (BADS-C) in children with epilepsy
IRAS ID
337852
Contact name
Jessica Fish
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Glasgow
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 5 months, 1 days
Research summary
Executive function is the skills that allow us to reach goals, including being flexible, controlling our impulses and holding information in mind. Tests of executive function were originally developed with adults. However, when used with children, the language the tests use may be too complicated. Testing executive function is important, especially for people with neurological conditions such as in epilepsy, as difficulties can affect children’s everyday lives, including learning to be independent. Developing a valid test to measure executive functioning in children with epilepsy can allow for adaptations to be made to support children with these difficulties.
This study aims to validate an adapted version of the 'Zoo Map' from the Behavioural Assessment of Dysexecutive Syndrome for Children with reduced language demands. This is a task where children have to plan a route around a zoo to visit different animals according to certain rules.
The primary research question is: How accessible is the adapted Zoo Map? There will also be several secondary questions, including does the test correlates with a parent measure of executive functioning?
Participants will be children aged 8-15 years 11 months with Genetic Generalised Epilepsy without a learning disability or limited English language understanding. Participants will be recruited through neurology clinics at the Royal Hospital for Children. Their neurology doctor will initially approach them about the study, and consent/assent will be sought from parents and children, which is detailed further in this form. The study will answer the primary research question by collecting data on language skills, executive functioning, and epilepsy, and then asking them to perform either the original or adapted Zoo Map. This may take up to 60 minutes to administer, including gaining consent/assent. The study will be funded by NHS GG&C.REC name
North of Scotland Research Ethics Committee 2
REC reference
24/NS/0037
Date of REC Opinion
11 Jun 2024
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion