Neuropsychological assessments in a clinical context should always be hypothesis-driven. Based on self-reported information about perceived impairments, information about the underlying disease, biographical data, behavioral observations, and, if applicable, information from third-party sources, cognitive functions to be tested are selected depending on the specific issue at hand. On the other hand, clinical practice shows that certain cognitive sub-functions should be routinely assessed in every neuropsychological diagnosis because, regardless of the individual issues at hand, they are so clinically relevant that a neuropsychological profile would be incomplete and therefore only interpretable to a limited extent without taking these functions into account.
Clinical- and neuropsychological assessments use psychological tests to assess individual functional profiles that are relevant for diagnosis, therapy planning, and progress monitoring (Kubinger, 2019). According to the basic principles of psychological assessments, tests help to map cognitive, emotional, and behavioral aspects in a differentiated manner and enable standardized recording of psychological characteristics under controlled conditions (Schmidt-Atzert et al., 2021).
SFS Test Solutions help users select the neuropsychological and clinical psychological tests from the portfolio that best suit their individual needs. The Clinical Psychology application area offers various test solutions that can be used in the fields of clinical psychology and neuropsychology to identify possible impairments of relevant neurocognitive functions. In addition, VTS Analytics offers additional functions for monitoring disease progression, such as comparing test values over time (VTS Analytics → Comparison over time).
Psychological tests are also used in clinical psychological assessments as a basis for therapy evaluation and rehabilitation measures. Studies confirm the effectiveness of evidence-based neuropsychological therapy approaches, with computer-assisted testing playing a central role in treatment planning (Cicerone et al., 2011). Computer-assisted testing enable a high degree of standardization and objectivity, making assessment decisions transparent and comprehensible (Brezovsky, 2009). In neuropsychological rehabilitation in particular, psychological tests can be used to specifically identify individual deficits and derive tailor-made therapy programs that enable the best possible reintegration into everyday life, working life, and the social environment (Cramon & Zihl, 2013).
References can be found here: Literature