Is cognitive disengagement syndrome more prevalent in children with cerebral palsy? A neuropsychological perspective

Abstract

Objective This study aimed to examine the comorbidity of Cognitive Disengagement Syndrome (CDS) in children with Cerebral Palsy (CP) and to explore neuropsychological differences between clinical subgroups. Materials and Methods The study included 24 children with CP and 18 typically developing (TD) peers, aged 6-17 years, who were evaluated using a sociodemographic form and a neuropsychological battery. Results Children with both CP and CDS showed significantly reduced cognitive flexibility and processing speed compared to TD children and those with CP only (p < .001). No significant difference in processing speed was observed between the CP-only and TD groups. Additionally, BCAS scores were moderately and negatively correlated with processing speed, executive functions, and attention (p < .05). Conclusion CDS symptoms are frequently seen in children with CP and are closely linked to executive dysfunctions. These findings underscore that CDS symptoms are not merely comorbid features but constitute a core dimension that substantially shapes and differentiates the neuropsychological profile of children with CP.