DWT: Delirium Writing Test

1994

An exploratory postoperative handwriting assessment proposed after a 24-patient thoracotomy study. It produced striking results in five delirium cases but no fixed score, threshold or external validation.

Classification

Domain-specific or adjunctive measureCognitive tests designed for delirium

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Tool and original sources

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

Original paper

Original paperAakerlund LP, Rosenberg J. Writing disturbances: an indicator for postoperative delirium. International journal of psychiatry in medicine. 1994;24(3):245-57. doi: 10.2190/PTP2-GPB2-GA6Q-NM87. PMID: 7890482.
This is the original published source for DWT. It reported sensitivity of 100% and specificity of 100% against a DSM-III-R clinical assessment.
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One DTA study identifiedHistorical context

At a glance

Purpose: Domain-specific or adjunctive measure
Population: Adult
Setting: General / acute hospital, Perioperative
Time: not reported
Score or threshold: No reproducible numerical score or threshold established

Format: The study compared writing before surgery and on postoperative day three across several broad disturbance types. It did not establish a standard item set, numeric total or reproducible binary rule suitable for a current bedside form.

Evidence

Evidence maturityOne DTA study identified

Reported sensitivity and specificity

Headline metric source

Original/source study · 1994 — pmid:7890482

Denominator: Reported source unit: 24 (analysis unit not fully reconciled)
Reference standard: Postoperative DSM-III-R delirium classification; assessor procedure, timing and masking are not reported in the accessible abstract

100%

Sensitivity

100%

Specificity

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

More evidence and citation details

Full name: Delirium Writing Test
Also known as: DWT
Evidence summary: development-only
Diagnostic-accuracy studies: 1
Reference standard: Postoperative DSM-III-R delirium classification; assessor procedure, timing and masking are not reported in the accessible abstract
Citation: Aakerlund LP, Rosenberg J Writing disturbances: an indicator for postoperative delirium International journal of psychiatry in medicine. 1994;24(3):245-57. PMID 7890482

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Information checked: 2026-07-19

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