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DelBox: Delirium Box (Edinburgh Delirium Test Box)

2011

A purpose-built handheld sustained-attention test and precursor of DelApp. It measures a cognitive component strongly affected in delirium but does not independently establish the syndrome.

At a glance

Purpose
Domain-specific or adjunctive measure
Population
Adult
Time
task-dependent; a completion time for the whole original battery was not established in this review
Score or threshold
Eight DelBox sustained visual-attention tasks (ROC range; task-specific thresholds not reported in accessible abstract)

Format: The original study used a purpose-built device and eight sustained visual-attention tasks of differing complexity. Individual trial durations are not the duration of the full battery. The device and stimuli are required; a paper illustration is not a working substitute.

Primary validation papers

2 identified diagnostic-accuracy papers

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 and selected diagnostic-accuracy papers

  • Original paperBrown LJ, Fordyce C, Zaghdani H, Starr JM, MacLullich AM. Detecting deficits of sustained visual attention in delirium. Journal of neurology, neurosurgery, and psychiatry. 2011;82(12):1334-40. doi: 10.1136/jnnp.2010.208827. PMID: 20587493.

    This is the original published source for DelBox. It is the main source for the method, its intended use and the evidence available at publication.

    Open PubMed ↗
  • Selected diagnostic-accuracy studyGreen C, Hendry K, Wilson ES, Walsh T, Allerhand M, MacLullich AMJ, et al. A Novel Computerized Test for Detecting and Monitoring Visual Attentional Deficits and Delirium in the ICU. Critical care medicine. 2017;45(7):1224-1231. doi: 10.1097/CCM.0000000000002477. PMID: 28489649.

    This diagnostic-accuracy study evaluated DelBox in royal Infirmary of Edinburgh general ICU against CAM-ICU delirium assessment. It reported sensitivity of 100% and specificity of 92% in 30 selected ICU patients; 79 repeated assessments.

    Open PubMed ↗
Multiple DTA studies identifiedRelated context
Classification

Classification

Domain-specific or adjunctive measureCognitive tests designed for delirium

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

Evidence

Diagnostic-accuracy evidenceMultiple DTA studies identified

Reported sensitivity and specificity

;
Sensitivity
;
Specificity

Objective computerised sustained-attention testing; AUC 0.80–0.99 discriminating delirium from dementia and controls (n=20 delirium).

More evidence and citation details
Full name
Delirium Box (Edinburgh Delirium Test Box)
Also known as
DelBox, Edinburgh Delirium Test Box, EDTB
Related profiles
DelApp, DelApp-ICU
Evidence summary
single-discrimination-study
Diagnostic-accuracy evaluations
2
Reference standard
Confusion Assessment Method delirium diagnosis
Citation
Brown LJ, Fordyce C, Zaghdani H, Starr JM, MacLullich AM Detecting deficits of sustained visual attention in delirium Journal of neurology, neurosurgery, and psychiatry. 2011;82(12):1334-40. PMID 20587493
Download RIS ↗ Download BibTeX ↗

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 2 identified papers
  1. Brown LJ, Fordyce C, Zaghdani H, Starr JM, MacLullich AM (2011). Detecting deficits of sustained visual attention in delirium. Journal of neurology, neurosurgery, and psychiatry.

    Reference category: other comparator or secondary accuracy evidence.

  2. Green C, Hendry K, Wilson ES, Walsh T, Allerhand M, MacLullich AMJ, Tieges Z (2017). A Novel Computerized Test for Detecting and Monitoring Visual Attentional Deficits and Delirium in the ICU. Critical care medicine.

    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.