Introduction

Executive functions (EF) have been found to be associated with different levels of language processing. Its importance in engaging in a conversation has been discussed in a single case report by Frankel et al. (2007). However, empirical evidence is lacking in demonstrating the relation between EF and functional communication in conversation of PWA. The current study aimed to fill this research gap by examining the association of EF and functional communication in a conversational context. 

Method

The performance of 47 PWA on various cognitive tests evaluating EF, attention, and verbal short-term/working memory was analyzed using principal component analysis, resulting in two cognitive factors reflecting PWA’s EF, and attention and memory. Their ability in functional communication was estimated by calculating the number of main concepts narrated by the PWA in three story probes. Correlation among the cognitive and linguistic variables were calculated before being inputted into hierarchical regression analysis. The averaged scores of the story probes across the two assessments served as the predicted variable, and the two cognitive factors and sentence comprehension as predictors.

Results

The three predictors were significantly correlated with scores of the averaged story probes with p values < .01. Both sentence comprehension and EF significantly predicted average performance on story probes produced by PWA.

Conclusions

The results confirmed our hypothesis about the role of EF in functional communication of PWA. Such finding highlights the importance of detailed cognitive assessment of PWA in the management process. Further studies to identify effective strategies for both parties to cope with cognitive-linguistic impairments and breakdown in conversation are warranted.