CTD: Cognitive Test for Delirium

1996

Non-verbal cognitive test designed for ICU patients who cannot complete standard cognitive tests; assesses attention, memory, orientation and comprehension.

Classification

Domain-specific or adjunctive measureCognitive tests designed for delirium Detailed phenomenological and/or neuropsychological assessment Use in intensive care units

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Tool and original sources

No direct copy is linked here. The original paper and a Google Images search are available below. Image results may be unofficial; check the version and source before use.

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Original and selected diagnostic-accuracy papers

Original paperHart RP, Levenson JL, Sessler CN, Best AM, Schwartz SM, Rutherford LE. Validation of a cognitive test for delirium in medical ICU patients. Psychosomatics. 1996;37(6):533-46. doi: 10.1016/S0033-3182(96)71517-7. PMID: 8942204.
This paper reports the original validation of CTD. It reported sensitivity of 100% and specificity of 95% against pre-existing diagnostic-group membership; no independently applied delirium reference standard reported.
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Selected diagnostic-accuracy studyKennedy RE, Nakase-Thompson R, Nick TG, Sherer M. Use of the cognitive test for delirium in patients with traumatic brain injury. Psychosomatics. 2003;44(4):283-9. doi: 10.1176/appi.psy.44.4.283. PMID: 12832593.
This diagnostic-accuracy study evaluated CTD in neurorehabilitation centre against a DSM-IV clinical assessment. It reported sensitivity of 72% and specificity of 71% in 65 consecutive traumatic-brain-injury patients; 249 complete weekly observations.
Open PubMed ↗

Multiple DTA studies identifiedCore instrument family

At a glance

Purpose: Domain-specific or adjunctive measure
Population: Adult
Setting: Intensive care, General / acute hospital
Time: ~10–15 min
Items: 5
Score or threshold: Original CTD cutoff as analysed by authors

Format: The instrument records 5 scored items or observations. This site classifies it under domain-specific or adjunctive measure, cognitive tests designed for delirium and detailed phenomenological and/or neuropsychological assessment. It is intended for adult use in Intensive care, General / acute hospital. The stated administration time is ~10–15 min. The published result is recorded using Original CTD cutoff as analysed by authors.

Evidence

Evidence maturityMultiple DTA studies identified

Reported sensitivity and specificity

Headline metric source

Original/source study · 1996 — pmid:8942204

Denominator: Reported source unit: 103 (analysis unit not fully reconciled)
Reference standard: Pre-existing diagnostic-group membership; no independently applied delirium reference standard reported

100%

Sensitivity

95%

Specificity

Original validation; optimal cut-off.

More evidence and citation details

Full name: Cognitive Test for Delirium
Also known as: CTD
Related profiles: aCTD
Evidence summary: multi
Diagnostic-accuracy studies: 2
Reference standard: Pre-existing diagnostic-group membership; no independently applied delirium reference standard reported
Citation: Hart RP, Levenson JL, Sessler CN, Best AM, Schwartz SM, Rutherford LE Validation of a cognitive test for delirium in medical ICU patients Psychosomatics. 1996;37(6):533-46. PMID 8942204

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Information checked: 2026-07-19

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Sources checked 2026-07-29. How profiles are prepared.