MeSA vs TabCAT

The purpose of the MeSA-AE Assist is to provide examiners with help in the administration, scoring and interpretation of the well-known Trail Making test. The test is useful in the assessment of an individual's visual attention control and cognitive flexibility which are two key components of executive functioning. Executive functioning is defined as the cognitive abilities necessary for the self-regulation of behavior and the achievement of purposeful goals. The MeSA-AE Assist can be used to evaluate individuals between the ages of fifteen to eighty-nine years old. The test requires that it be administered in accordance with its specified guidelines under the supervision of a licensed health care professional who is qualified in the use and interpretation of psychological tests. By itself, the results of this test are not to be used in making a determination of any impairment or diagnosis. At the end of the test all data is automatically saved and transmitted to the PC station database. No identifying data is stored on the iPad.

The Tablet-based Cognitive Assessment Tool (TabCAT) is an application developed at University of California San Francisco for the administration of clinical and research tools. The variety of tools available on TabCAT includes cognitive tests of executive function, memory, language, motor skills, and visuospatial skills. It also includes a set of multidimensional questionnaires that are subject-facing, informant-facing, or examiner-facing. TabCAT tools are designed for use in diverse settings, and automated administration and scoring ensure high precision and standardization of measurement. The tests can be used for assessment and longitudinal monitoring of cognitive and behavioral abilities in adults.