Cognition Assessments and Interventions

Cognitive Compensation Training (ex: CogSmart) — purpose

To help clients use different areas of the brain to perform cognitively and develop better habits or strategies for daily occupations.

Visual Motor/Reaction Time Training (ex: Brain Speed Ball, Blaze Pods) — purpose

To improve processing speed, reaction time, coordination, memory, balance, and visual tracking.

Psychoeducation — purpose

To educate clients about cognitive strategies (e.g., for memory improvement) and promote understanding and self-management of deficits.

Games to Support Cognitive Function (ex: board, card, or video games) — purpose

To enhance processing, organization, and cognitive flexibility through modified game activities.

Novel Task Training — purpose

To improve executive functioning and learning by engaging clients in new, unfamiliar tasks.

Dual Task Training — purpose

To train cognitive and motor coordination by having clients perform simultaneous tasks (e.g., walking while doing math).

Computerized Cognitive Training (ex: CogniFit, Lumosity, Elevate, Peak, Neuronation) — purpose

To use gamified virtual tools that improve cognitive skills like response time, coordination, and visual tracking.

Brief Interview for Mental Status (BIMS) — purpose

To screen cognition by measuring temporal orientation, recall, and short-term memory.

Confusion Assessment Method (CAM) — purpose

To screen for delirium and cognitive impairment (required by CMS).

Rivermead Behavioral Memory Test — purpose

To assess everyday memory skills including delayed recall, recognition, and orientation in daily contexts.

Test of Everyday Attention — purpose

To measure sustained, selective, and divided attention through realistic daily tasks.

Trail-Making Test (TMT) — purpose

To assess executive function, visual attention, task switching, and processing speed.

Contextual Memory Test — purpose

To assess recall, awareness of memory capacity, and strategy use related to real-life tasks.

Continuous Performance Test (CPT-III) — purpose

To evaluate sustained attention and response inhibition in individuals 8 years and older.

Behavioral Assessment of the Dysexecutive Syndrome (BADS) — purpose

To assess executive functioning in real-life contexts such as problem-solving, organization, and planning.

Self-Awareness Deficit Interview (SADI) — purpose

To assess client awareness of deficits, functional limitations, and goal-setting ability.

Patient Competency Rating Form — purpose

To measure self-awareness using a self-report format.

Star Cancellation/Bell Test/Line Bisection — purpose

To quickly screen for unilateral spatial neglect or hemi-inattention.

Clock Drawing — purpose

To assess cognitive impairment and spatial attention (hemi-inattention).

NIH Stroke Scale Items 9 & 11 — purpose

To assess stroke-related deficits in language (item 9) and inattention (item 11).

Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) — purpose

To screen for cognitive impairment and track changes in orientation, recall, attention, and language over time.

St. Louis University Mental Status Examination (SLUMS) — purpose

To identify mild cognitive impairment or dementia.

Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) — purpose

To rapidly screen multiple cognitive domains including memory, attention, and executive functions.

Menu Task — purpose

To screen functional cognition through a brief, performance-based task.

Hopkins Verbal Learning Test — purpose

To assess verbal learning and memory abilities.

Frenchay Aphasia Screening Test — purpose

To screen comprehension, verbal expression, reading, and writing abilities.

Boston Naming Test — purpose

To evaluate naming ability and assess for aphasia, particularly in dementia populations.

Motor-Free Visual Perception Test (MVPT) — purpose

To assess visual perception skills without motor involvement.

Occupational Therapy Adult Perceptual Screening Test (OT-APST) — purpose

To assess visual perception and praxis post-stroke (e.g., neglect, apraxia, acalculia).

Behavioral Inattention Test (BIT) — purpose

To measure presence and extent of visual neglect.

Delis-Kaplan Executive Function System (D-KEFS) — purpose

To assess executive functioning in children and adolescents.

BRIEF (Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function) — purpose

To assess executive functions through self- or informant-report.

Awareness of Errors in Naturalistic Action — purpose

To evaluate client’s awareness of performance errors during complex daily tasks.

Allen Cognitive Level Screen (ACL) — purpose

To assess functional cognition and problem-solving through task-based performance.

Medi-Cog — purpose

To screen cognition and medication management ability (Mini-Cog + medication transfer test).

PASS (Performance Assessment of Self-Care Skills) — purpose

To document functional status and ability to perform ADLs and IADLs.

Functional Behavior Profile — purpose

To guide placement and discharge decisions, especially post-stroke.

Alzheimer’s Disease Cooperative Study — purpose

To measure ADL and IADL performance via self or informant report in Alzheimer’s disease.

Lawton IADL Scale — purpose

To assess independence in more complex instrumental activities of daily living.