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Review
. 2021 Aug 31:12:680474.
doi: 10.3389/fneur.2021.680474. eCollection 2021.

Overview of the Complex Figure Test and Its Clinical Application in Neuropsychiatric Disorders, Including Copying and Recall

Xiaonan Zhang  1 , Liangliang Lv  1 , Guowen Min  1 , Qiuyan Wang  1 , Yarong Zhao  1 , Yang Li  1
Affiliations
Review

Overview of the Complex Figure Test and Its Clinical Application in Neuropsychiatric Disorders, Including Copying and Recall

Xiaonan Zhang et al. Front Neurol. .

Abstract

The Rey-Osterrieth Complex Figure (ROCF) test is a commonly used neuropsychological assessment tool. It is widely used to assess the visuo-constructional ability and visual memory of neuropsychiatric disorders, including copying and recall tests. By drawing the complex figure, the functional decline of a patient in multiple cognitive dimensions can be assessed, including attention and concentration, fine-motor coordination, visuospatial perception, non-verbal memory, planning and organization, and spatial orientation. This review first describes the different versions and scoring methods of ROCF. It then reviews the application of ROCF in the assessment of visuo-constructional ability in patients with dementia, other brain diseases, and psychiatric disorders. Finally, based on the scoring method of the digital system, future research hopes to develop a new digital ROCF scoring method combined with machine learning algorithms to standardize clinical practice and explore the characteristic neuropsychological structure information of different disorders.

Keywords: complex figure test; digital scoring method; neuropsychiatric disorders; neuropsychological test; visuospatial ability.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Equivalent and simplified versions of Rey–Osterrieth Complex Figure (ROCF). In 1941, Rey developed the classic ROCF (A). To avoid the learning effect by using the same figure twice, some studies have developed multiple equivalent versions of the ROCF, such as the Taylor figure (B), the modified Taylor figure (C), the Mark figure (D), and various versions of the Medical College of Georgia Complex Figures (E–H). Subsequently, multiple simplified versions of ROCF (I, K, L) were developed. The Benson figure (I) is less affected by executive function. (K) has been proven to be suitable for the elderly. Kim developed (L) for digital assessment tools. Similarly, the simplified Taylor figure (J) has also been confirmed to suit the low-educated elderly.
Figure 2
Figure 2
The 18 scoring units of the Rey–Osterrieth Complex Figure.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Clock and house drawing tasks.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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