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The Executive Control Battery has been designed to document the presence and the extent of the "executive dyscontrol" or "frontal lobe" syndrome. It was created as a result of the work done by Alexander Luria and Elkhonon Goldberg whilst studying patients with focal prefrontal lesions. It was then developed by E. Goldberg, K.Podell, R. Bilder and J. Jaeger.

The ECB is a stand-out amongst tests in the area, showing much greater sensitivity and specificity in measuring deficits resulting from the "frontal lobe" syndrome.

The battery consists of four subtests. Distinct patterns of performance on each subtest indicate various aspects of the executive dyscontrol syndrome.

Each of the subtests has a unique contribution to the entire assessment, but each subtest may be administered by itself.


THE GRAPHICAL SEQUENCES TEST

This test involves drawing graphical sequences following verbal commands under time pressure. Four perseverations it measures are: a) hyperkinetic motor perseverations, b) perseveration of elements, c) perseveration of features and d) perseveration of activities.

It is designed to elicit the above four types of perseverations and various behavioural stereotypies.

Time: 15-20 minutes


THE COMPETING PROGRAMS TEST

This test consists of executing various responses following commands whose physical characteristics are "in conflict" with the desired responses.

The test is designed to elicit various types of echopraxia, behavioural
stereotypies and disinhibition. The two types of sequences employed are: a) conflict visual version and b) "go/no-go" version.

Time: 12-15 minutes


THE MANUAL POSTURES TEST

This test involves imitations by the patient of various asymmetric static manual postures (unimanual and bimanual) produced by the examiner who is facing the patient. The task assesses the patient's ability to relate egocentric and allocentric spaces. The task is designed to elicit various types of echopraxia and "mirroring".


Time: 10-15 minutes



THE MOTOR SEQUENCES TEST

This test requires rapid alternation of both simple and complex unimanual and bimanual motor sequences. The task is designed to elicit various types of motor perseverations, stereotypies and other deficits of sequential motor organisation.

The six types of sequences are: a) unimanual two-stage movement,
b) unimanual two-stage movement reversal, c) unimanual three-stage movement, d) bimanual (reciprocal) coordination - distal, e) bimanual (reciprocal) coordination - proximal and f) bimanual (reciprocal) coordination - mixed.

Time: 10-15 minutes