INTRODUCTION: Cognitive impairment is frequent in multiple sclerosis and predominantly affects visuospatial abilities, memory, attention, and executive functions. Because of the specific cognitive profile, different from that in Alzheimer's disease and other frequent disorders presenting with dementia, specific neuropsychological instruments need to be used in multiple sclerosis. The aim of the present study is to assess the applicability of the Rey-Osterrieth complex figure test (ROCFT) for assessing cognitive impairment in patients with multiple sclerosis in comparison with a control group.
MATERIAL AND METHODS: One hundred and two persons, 70 patients with MS and 32 healthy control subjects were assessed using ROCFT. A standardized system for assessment by points and percentiles was used. The results of both groups were compared statistically using independent samples t-test.
RESULTS: On the copying task, the differences between patients and controls reached statistical significance, p<0.05 for the raw score, and p<0.001 after results were grouped by percentiles. On the drawing by memory task the differences between the two groups also showed statistical significance, p<0.01.
CONCLUSION: ROCFT shows statistically significant differences between patients with multiple sclerosis and healthy subjects. Highest levels of significance were observed for copying, scored by percentiles, and for drawing by memory. The application of ROCFT can provide valuable information about cognitive dysfunction in multiple sclerosis.
Strober LB, Rao SM, Lee JC, Fischer E, Rudick R. Cognitive impairment in multiple sclerosis: An 18 year follow-up study. Mult Scler Relat Disord. 2014 Jul;3(4):473-481.
Morgen K, Sammer G, Courtney SM, Wolters T, Melchior H, Blecker CR, et al. Evidence for a direct association between cortical atrophy and cognitive impairment in relapsing-remitting MS. Neuroimage. 2006 Apr 15;30(3):891-898.
Benedict RH, Zivadinov R. Risk factors for and management of cognitive dysfunction in multiple sclerosis. Nat Rev Neurol. 2011 Jun;7(6):332-342.
Rey A. L`examen psychologique dans les cas d`encephalopathie traumatique. Archives de Psychologie. 1941;28:215-285.
Osterrieth PA. Le test de copie d'une figure complex: Contribution a l'etude de la perception et de la memoire. Archives de Psychologie. 1944;30:286-356.
Caffarra P, Vezzadini G, Dieci F, Zonato F, Venneri A. Rey-Osterrieth complex figure: normative values in an Italian population sample. Neurol Sci. 2002 Mar;22(6):443-447.
Hubley AM, Tremblay D. Comparability of total score performance on the Rey-Osterrieth Complex Figure and a modified Taylor Complex Figure. J Clin Exp Neuropsychol. 2002 May;24(3):370-382.
Biesbroek JM, van Zandvoort MJ, Kuijf HJ, Weaver NA, Kappelle LJ, Vos PC, et al. The anatomy of visuospatial construction revealed by lesion-symptom mapping. Neuropsychologia. 2014 Sep;62:68-76.
Walker K, Schwehm A, Damewood G, Wellington R. A-53Understanding the Differential Contribution of Executive Functioning Processes to Visuospatial Memory. Arch Clin Neuropsychol. 2014 Sep;29(6):522-523.
Pelati O, Castiglioni S, Isella V, Zuffi M, de Rino F, Mossali I, et al. When Rey-Osterrieth's Complex Figure Becomes a Church: Prevalence and Correlates of Graphic Confabulations in Dementia. Dement Geriatr Cogn Dis Extra. 2011 Jan;1(1):372-380.
Isella V, Traficante D, Tagliabue CF, Mapelli C, Ferri F, Caffarra P, et al. A retrospective survey on rotated drawing in persons with mild cognitive impairment or degenerative dementia. Clin Neuropsychol. 2013;27(8):1300-1315.
Miller J, Hanson E, Baerresen K, Miller K, Gottuso A, Ercoli L, et al. A-12Screening for Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) with the Mini-Mental Status Exam (MMSE) and Rey-Osterrieth Complex Figure Test (ROCF). Arch Clin Neuropsychol. 2014 Sep;29(6):508.
Vyhnalek M, Nikolai T, Andel R, Nedelska Z, Rubinova E, Markova H, et al. Neuropsychological correlates of hippocampal atrophy in memory testing in nondemented older adults. J Alzheimers Dis. 2014;42 Suppl 3:S81-90.
Garcia-Casares N, Jorge RE, Garcia-Arnes JA, Acion L, Berthier ML, Gonzalez-Alegre P, et al. Cognitive dysfunctions in middle-aged type 2 diabetic patients and neuroimaging correlations: a cross-sectional study. J Alzheimers Dis. 2014;42(4):1337-1346.
Park S, Hong KE, Yang YH, Kang J, Park EJ, Ha K, et al. Neuropsychological and behavioral profiles in attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder children of parents with a history of mood disorders: a pilot study. Psychiatry Investig. 2014 Jan;11(1):65-75.
Martens R, Hurks PP, Jolles J. Organizational strategy use in children aged 5-7: standardization and validity of the Rey Complex Figure Organizational Strategy Score (RCF-OSS). Clin Neuropsychol. 2014;28(6):954-973.
Schreiber HE, Javorsky DJ, Robinson JE, Stern RA. Rey-Osterrieth Complex Figure performance in adults with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: a validation study of the Boston Qualitative Scoring System. Clin Neuropsychol. 1999 Nov;13(4):509-520.
Heled E, Hoofien D, Bachar E, Cooper-Kazaz R, Gur E, Ebstein RP. Employing executive functions of perceptual and memory abilities in underweight and weight-restored anorexia nervosa patients. Eat Weight Disord. 2014 Dec;19(4):479-487.
Longoni G, Rocca MA, Pagani E, Riccitelli GC, Colombo B, Rodegher M, et al. Deficits in memory and visuospatial learning correlate with regional hippocampal atrophy in MS. Brain Struct Funct. 2015 Jan;220(1):435-444.
Ge Y, Jensen JH, Lu H, Helpern JA, Miles L, Inglese M, et al. Quantitative assessment of iron accumulation in the deep gray matter of multiple sclerosis by magnetic field correlation imaging. AJNR Am J Neuroradiol. 2007 Oct;28(9):1639-1644.
Gmeindl L, Courtney SM. Deconstructing spatial working memory and attention deficits in multiple sclerosis. Neuropsychology. 2012 Jan;26(1):57-70.
Liguori M, Fera F, Gioia MC, Valentino P, Manna I, Condino F, et al. Investigating the role of brain-derived neurotrophic factor in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis. Genes Brain Behav. 2007 Mar;6(2):177-183.
Yamashita H. Right- and left-hand performance on the Rey-Osterrieth Complex Figure: A preliminary study in non-clinical sample of right handed people. Arch Clin Neuropsychol. 2010 Jun;25(4):314-317.
Elderkin-Thompson V, Boone KB, Kumar A, Mintz J. Validity of the Boston qualitative scoring system for the Rey-Osterrieth complex figure among depressed elderly patients. J Clin Exp Neuropsychol. 2004 Aug;26(5):598-607.
Frank J, Landeira-Fernandez J. Comparison between two scoring systems of the Rey-Osterrieth Complex Figure in left and right temporal lobe epileptic patients. Arch Clin Neuropsychol. 2008 Nov-Dec;23(7-8):839-845.
Ogino T, Watanabe K, Nakano K, Kado Y, Morooka T, Takeuchi A, et al. Predicting executive function task scores with the Rey-Osterrieth Complex Figure. Brain Dev. 2009 Jan;31(1):52-57.
Smith SR, Chang J, Schnoebelen KJ, Edwards JW, Servesko AM, Walker SJ. Psychometrics of a simple method for scoring organizational approach on the Rey-Osterrieth complex figure. J Neuropsychol. 2007 Mar;1(Pt 1):39-51.
Somerville J, Tremont G, Stern RA. The Boston Qualitative Scoring System as a measure of executive functioning in Rey-Osterrieth Complex Figure performance. J Clin Exp Neuropsychol. 2000 Oct;22(5):613-621.
Gallagher C, Burke T. Age, gender and IQ effects on the Rey-Osterrieth Complex Figure Test. Br J Clin Psychol. 2007 Mar;46(Pt 1):35-45.
Ruffolo JS, Javorsky DJ, Tremont G, Westervelt HJ, Stern RA. A comparison of administration procedures for the Rey-Osterrieth Complex Figure: flowcharts versus pen switching. Psychol Assess. 2001 Sep;13(3):299-305.
Hubley AM, Jassal S. Comparability of the Rey-Osterrieth and Modified Taylor Complex Figures using total scores, completion times, and construct validation. J Clin Exp Neuropsychol. 2006 Nov;28(8):1482-1497.
Kuehn SM, Snow WG. Are the Rey and Taylor figures equivalent? Arch Clin Neuropsychol. 1992 Oct;7(5):445-448.
Email this article (Login required) 
