Developing a generic approach to online automated analysis of writing and drawing tests in clinical patient profiling

Abstract

Writing and drawing tests are widely used in the clinical environment for the diagnosis of a variety of neuropsychological conditions. Conventional assessment of these tests involves the inspection by trained assessors of the completed patient response. This article describes the development of a computer-based framework for data capture, automated feature analysis, and result reporting for a range of drawing- and writing-based test batteries. In developing this framework, we have exploited the commonality between tasks while allowing for both flexibility in configuration across condition-specific testing requirements and extensibility for future test development. Using the two example clinical conditions of visuospatial neglect and dyspraxia, we illustrate the advantages of utilizing a computer-based analysis system, describe a structured approach to system implementation, and demonstrate the generality of this implementation for different conditions of interest, which extends to feature selection and design. Copyright 2008 Psychonomic Society, Inc.