Expanded scoring criteria for the Design Fluency Test: Reliability and validity in neuropsychological and college samples

In spite of sensitivity to right frontal lobe dysfunction, the Design Fluen cy Test (DFT) has been limited by one global score with little psychometric data. This study developed art expanded scoring system with standardized i nstructions for multiple dimensions of design performance and provided reli ability and validity data in a college (n = 64) and diverse neuropsychologi cal sample (n = 165). The scoring system allowed reliable scoring of number of novel designs, com complexity of designs, variations in designs, and co ncrete, frankly perseverative, ann scribbled responses. Performances for a college sample were relatively stable at I-month retest, brit showed practi ce effects for number of novel designs and complexity. Two principal compon ents showed modest, expected relationships to other neuropsychological meas ures in the clinical sample. Clinical subjects with a history of closed-hea d injury or dementing disorder showed impaired DFT performances, with compl exity the most sensitive indicator of impairment. (C) 1999 National Academy of Neuropsychology. Published by Elsevier Science Ltd.