Cognitive, mood, and functional evaluations using touchscreen technology

We describe the design and development of the Cognitive Evaluation Protocol (R) (CEP), a computer software program for evaluating cognitive and functio nal capacities and mood. The program is self-administered by subjects using touchscreen monitors for input. Stimuli in CEP subtests are randomized to reduce the effects of learning on repeated assessments. Findings demonstrat e that a) minimum instruction is required for touchscreen use, even for com puter-naive subjects; c) both normative subjects and psychiatric patients r espond positively to self-administered evaluations; and c) CEP can be used for within-subject repeated evaluations with minimal distortion of results due to practice effects. The CEP Report Generator(R) provides immediate pri nted performance results and creates a database for long-term digital stora ge and information use.