The four boxes test is a computer-based test used to measure reaction times.
In the test, a black circle appears in one of four boxes on the screen, and the patient presses the corresponding key on the keyboard as quickly as possible. The next circle appears after 500 ms, until 52 circles have been exposed.
The computer measures the time the subject takes to complete the test and the number of errors they make.
The test has been used to measure long-term cognitive dysfunction in elderly people who have undergone an operation.
When subjects had undergone anesthesia with different drugs, and were then tested using the
Stroop Colour and Word Interference Test, the
digit symbol substitution test
Digit symbol substitution test (DSST) is a neuropsychological test sensitive to brain damage, dementia, age and depression.
The test is not sensitive to the location of brain-damage (except for damage comprising part of the visual field). It consis ...
and the four boxes test, recovery times varied both by anesthetic and by type of test.
Other studies have shown that there is an association between
postoperative cognitive dysfunction Postoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD) is a decline in cognition, cognitive function (especially in memory and executive functions) that may last from 1–12 months after surgery, or longer. In some cases, this disorder may persist for several y ...
(POCD) and impaired performance in the four boxes test, but that the test is not a good predictor of POCD.
References
{{Neuropsychology tests
Neuropsychological tests