A comparison of administration procedures for the Rey-Osterrieth Complex Figure: Flowcharts versus pen switching

The Rey-Osterrieth Complex Figure (ROCF) is commonly used to assess visuosp atial skills, visuoconstruction, visual memory, and executive functioning. Two different methods are traditionally used to record the order in which t he figure is drawn: the flowchart method and the pen-switching method. Alth ough it has been suggested that pen switching may interfere with performanc e, to date no research has been conducted to assess whether ROCF performanc e significantly differs due to administration method. As part of routine ne uropsychological evaluation, 100 inpatients and outpatients were randomly a ssigned to either method. Using the Boston Qualitative Scoring System and t he traditional 36-point scoring method, the authors unexpectedly found that the pen-switching group generally performed better than the flowchart grou p, and productions drawn with pen switching were also significantly faster to score.