PCFT : Prudhoe Cognitive Function Test

Welcome to the Prudhoe Cognitive Function Test (PCFT) website. Use of this test is free and is available to all clinicians.

How to use this test

The PCFT is a test that is used to assess the cognitive function of individuals with an intellectual disability. The test is administered directly to the participant concerned and does not rely on information obtained from others. It is recommended that the test be used serially over time to aid in the detection of cognitive decline. There are 3 versions of the test, the original long version and 2 short versions (see below). The test, instructions on use and associated pictures can be downloaded by clicking on the relevant button.

 

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PCFT Long ZIP 130Kb

The long version of the PCFT correlates well with an established test of intellectual ability, the K-BIT, with reliability coefficients of 0.84 and 0.78 for the verbal and performance sections of this instrument. A deterioration of more than 50% in scores over a period of time in a co-operative person is indicative of dementia if there are no other physical or mental factors affecting performance.

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PCFT Short A ZIP 11Kb

The short versions of the PCFT have been shown to be interchangeable with the Long version (r = 0.97 for Short Version A).

Please read the instructions before using the test. The test, materials required, and instructions on use are all included in the download.

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PCFT Short B ZIP 114Kb

The short versions of the PCFT have been shown to be interchangeable with the Long version (r = 0.98 for Short Version B).

Please read the instructions before using the test. The test, materials required, pictures and instructions on use are all included in the download.

References

For further information on the reliability and validity of the test please refer to the following references:

Kay DWK, Tyrer SP, Margallo-Lana, M-L, Moore PB, Fletcher R, Berney TP & Vithayathil E. Preliminary Evaluation of a Scale to Assess Cognitive Function in Adults with Down’s Syndrome: The Prudhoe Cognitive Function Test. Journal of Intellectual Disability Research, 47, 155-168, 2003.

Margallo-Lana ML, Moore PB, Tyrer SP, Dawson H, Jenkins K, Kay DW. The Prudhoe Cognitive Function Test, a scale to assess cognitive function in adults with Down's syndrome: inter-rater and test-retest reliability. Journal of Intellectual Disability Research. 47, 488-92, 2003

Tyrer SP, Wigham A, Cicchetti D, Margallo-Lana, M-L, Moore PB, Reid BE. Comparison of short and long versions of the Prudhoe Cognitive Function Test and the K-BIT in participants with intellectual impairment. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 40, 1000-1005, 2010