#MENTAL STATUS CLOCK TEST FULL#
Also, the visual impact of abnormal clocks is often an eye opener for families who may not have been aware of the full extent of cognitive dysfunction. It is as sensitive to cognitive impairment as the MMSE and picks up changes in cognition over time. Moreover, it tests frontal-executive, higher-level brain functioning (planning and abstract ability) in a way that the MMSE does not. It takes less time to administer and is generally very well accepted. It turns out that clock-drawing correlates very well with the MMSE. Drawing a clock requires multiple cognitive functions (not just visuospatial ability). It requires: visual memory of a clock, planning ability and concentration in order to place the numbers evenly around the clock circle, abstract ability to set the time using the symbol of hands which point to the number ‘2’ to represent 10 minutes past the hour. The latter task is very sensitive to cognitive impairment as affected individuals often ‘pull’ the minute hand to point to the number ‘10’ rather than ‘2’. The CDT’s acceptability, shorter time (2 minutes), and ease of administration have made it very popular.
Originally, the clock-drawing test was cited in a leading neurology textbook as a means of specifically assessing parietal lobe function in the brain, because that is the location of visuospatial ability. However, in the 1980s, our group at Sunnybrook (among others) began using the clock-drawing test and assessing its value as a broader cognitive screening tool comparable to the widely used Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE). The MMSE is a 30-item test that assesses orientation to time and place, attention, short term memory, verbal skills, and visuospatial ability. How did this particular test achieve such popularity among clinicians and why is it so useful? The test uses a pre-drawn circle and consists of asking the patient to put in the numbers of the clock and then to set the time to ‘10 past 11’. The clock-drawing test (CDT) has become one of the standard cognitive screening tools used around the world. Like all cognitive screening tests, it is designed to detect early brain changes to determine if an individual may be suffering from a form of dementia.
0 kommentar(er)
