A standardized scoring method for the copy of pentagons test, developed to be suitable for use in psychiatric populations

Background

Although the ‘copy of pentagons’ test, versions of which are included in the Bender-Gestalt test and the Mini-Mental test, exists for years, little has been done to standardize it in detail. The aim of the current study was to develop a novel and detailed standardized method of administration and scoring.

Materials and methods

The study sample included 93 normal control subjects (53 females and 40 males) aged 35.87±12.62 and 127 patients suffering from schizophrenia (54 females and 73 males) aged 34.07±9.83. The psychometric assessment included the PANSS the YMRS, and the MADRS.

Results

A scoring method was developed and was based on the frequencies of responses of healthy controls. Chronbach's alpha and test-retest and inter-ratter reliability were very good. Two indices and six subscales of the Standardized Copy of Pentagons Test (SCPT) were eventually developed.

Conclusions

The SCPT seems to be a reliable, valid and sensitive to change instrument for the testing of frontal lobe function based on Luria's graphic sequence test. The great advantage of this instrument is the fact that it is paper and pencil, easily administered and little time consuming. Further research is necessary to test its usefulness as a neuropsychological test.