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aCTD: Abbreviated Cognitive Test for Delirium

1997

A two-component abbreviation of the nine-content-score CTD, combining visual attention span with picture-recognition memory. Its favourable threshold performance was derived in the original CTD validation sample, not independently validated.

At a glance

Purpose
Domain-specific or adjunctive measure
Population
Adult
Setting
General / acute hospital, Intensive care
Time
shorter than the full CTD; exact completion time not reported
Score or threshold
10 or below using the published 10/11 cut point

Format: aCTD sums two CTD content scores and applies a published 10/11 cut point. The full tasks and scoring instructions should be obtained from the article rather than reproduced on the commentary page.

Primary validation papers

1 identified diagnostic-accuracy paper

Other forms of validation are described in the evidence section. What is counted?

Large-scale clinical implementation

Not yet reviewed.

A focused implementation review has not yet been completed for this profile.

Training and instructions

Public training resources have not yet been confirmed in this review. Check the linked developer or original source for instructions.

Start here

Tool and original sources

This record describes a method rather than a downloadable bedside form. The main source is linked below.

Original paper

  • Original paperHart RP, Best AM, Sessler CN, Levenson JL. Abbreviated cognitive test for delirium. Journal of psychosomatic research. 1997;43(4):417-23. doi: 10.1016/s0022-3999(97)00140-2. PMID: 9330241.

    This is the original published source for aCTD. It reported sensitivity of 94.7% and specificity of 98.8% against an independent DSM-III-R clinical assessment.

One DTA study identifiedVersion or adaptation
Classification

Classification

A tool may belong to more than one category. Select a linked category to see other relevant profiles.

Evidence

Diagnostic-accuracy evidenceOne DTA study identified

Reported sensitivity and specificity

Headline metric source

Original/source study · 1997; pmid:9330241

Denominator
Reported source unit: 103 (analysis unit not fully reconciled)
Reference standard
Expert psychiatric DSM-III-R diagnostic-group classification in the original CTD cohort (delirium, dementia, depression and schizophrenia)
94.7%
Sensitivity
98.8%
Specificity

Earliest DTA evaluation identified in the current audit; see the linked source and methodological caveats.

More evidence and citation details
Full name
Abbreviated Cognitive Test for Delirium
Also known as
aCTD
Related profiles
CTD
Evidence summary
derivation-only
Diagnostic-accuracy evaluations
1
Reference standard
Expert psychiatric DSM-III-R diagnostic-group classification in the original CTD cohort (delirium, dementia, depression and schizophrenia)
Citation
Hart RP, Best AM, Sessler CN, Levenson JL Abbreviated cognitive test for delirium Journal of psychosomatic research. 1997;43(4):417-23. PMID 9330241

Primary validation studies

Distinct primary publications from the current diagnostic-accuracy audit. Reviews and repeated evaluations within one paper are not counted again. Overlapping cohorts have not all been reconciled. Read the counting rules and limitations.

Open 1 identified paper
  1. Hart RP, Best AM, Sessler CN, Levenson JL (1997). Abbreviated cognitive test for delirium. Journal of psychosomatic research.

    Reference category: other comparator or secondary accuracy evidence.

Copyright and reuse
Information checked
2026-07-19

Instrument-specific terms apply. See the access and copyright policy or send a correction.

Base clinical review: 2026-07-29. Instrument description source check: 2026-09-05. Scope and limitations.