Cognitive Assessments at Inline Health Chiropractic

Common Cognitive Assessments Used by Occupational Therapists

An occupational therapist (OT) may conduct various cognitive assessments to evaluate a person’s cognitive abilities.

Here are some common cognitive assessments that occupational therapists may use:

1. Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE): This is a widely used screening tool that assesses cognitive functions such as orientation, memory, attention, language, and visual-spatial skills.
2. Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA): Similar to the MMSE but more sensitive in detecting mild cognitive impairment. It assesses cognitive domains such as attention, memory, language, visuospatial skills, executive function, and orientation.
3. Executive Function Performance Test (EFPT): This assessment evaluates a person’s ability to perform real-life, instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs) that require executive function skills such as planning, organization, and problem-solving.
4. Trail Making Test (TMT): Part A and B of the TMT assess visual attention, task switching, and cognitive flexibility. Part A involves connecting numbered circles in ascending order, while Part B involves alternating between numbers and letters in ascending order.
5. Clock Drawing Test: This test assesses executive function, visual-spatial ability, and memory by asking the individual to draw a clock face showing a specific time.
6. Allen Cognitive Levels (ACL) Test: This assessment measures cognitive abilities related to functional performance. It categorizes individuals into different cognitive levels based on their ability to complete structured tasks involving cognitive skills such as learning new tasks, problem-solving, and organization.
7. Functional Independence Measure (FIM): While not exclusively a cognitive assessment, the FIM evaluates an individual’s level of independence in performing activities of daily living (ADLs) and instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs), which can indirectly indicate cognitive function.

These assessments are used by occupational therapists to gather information about cognitive strengths and weaknesses, guide intervention planning, set realistic goals, and monitor progress over time. They are tailored to the specific needs of each client and may be used in various settings, including hospitals, rehabilitation centers, outpatient clinics, and home care environments.

Cognitive Assessments Essendon serving Southbank, South Yarra, and Melbourne | (03) 9379 5425