Rey Complex Figure Test and the evaluation of executive functions in children and adolescents

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study was to analyze which aspects of the Rey Complex Figure Test are more sensitive to the Executive Functions in children and adolescents. Methodology: The study employed a non-experimental cross-sectional design, of retrospective ex-post facto type with one group. The study worked with a purposive sample of 97 children and adolescents between the ages of 8 and 14. To meet the study's objectives, researchers administered the Rey Complex Figure Test, the Mexican Pyramids and Backwards Digit Span subtests of the ENI Battery, the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test and the Stroop Test. Results: significant correlations were found between the Rey Complex Figure Test and executive functions performance. Conclusions: there is evidence that the Rey Complex Figure Test is a measure that, in addition to measuring visuoconstructional abilities and visual memory, provides information about executive performance of children and adolescents linked to the functions of cognitive flexibility, organization and working memory.