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>   WHAT IS A TRAIL MAKING TEST?  

A Trail Making Test, commonly called TMT or Trails Test, is a powerful test designed to screen the cognition of an individual.   It requires a timed connection of labeled circles that constitute a trail. 

There are two Trail Making Tests:  Trail Making Test Part A and Trail Making Test B.  Trail Making Test Part A consists of numbers.  Trail Making Test Part B consists of both numbers and letters.  Trail Making Test Part B is considered more complex than Trail Making Test A.

The first Trail Making Tests were developed in 1944 for the War Department of the US Army, as part of the Army Individual Test of General Ability.  Up until now, these tests were available on paper and always required administration by a trained person.

The Online Trail Making Test ™, as an online test or software product, is superior in its sensitivity and uniformity to the traditional  trail making tests.  The Online Trail Making Test ™ is designed to be highly sensitive to the earliest symptoms of dementia and brain injury in order to identify cognitively impaired individuals as early as possible.  Watch our video for further information.

>  IS TRAIL MAKING TEST SOFTWARE AVAILABLE?

Online Trail Making Test ™ software is now also available for those individuals who require a powerful cognitive screening tool without the Internet.  Software is available in DVD format and requires a DVD drive to operate.   For further details and requirements, please contact us.

>   HOW DOES MEDICARE REIMBURSE FOR THESE COMPUTERIZED TRAIL MAKING TESTS?

Our computerized and online cognitive tests are billed as a 96120 Medicare procedure code if there a provisional diagnosis of dementia or cognitive dysfunction that involve evaluations through "Neuropsychological testing... administered by a computer, with a qualified health care professional interpretation and report."  Although a Medicare reimbursement is possible if a patient has chronic medical condition(s) complicated by possible cognitive deficits, the Medicare allowable for procedure code 96120 varies from place to place.  According to the HHS, the payment amounts for tests performed by a computer are adjusted depending upon whether the service was performed in a facility or non-facility setting.  The computer-administered testing code (96103/96120) is billed once regardless of the time spent completing the tests. Generally, a physician must either provide general, direct, or personal supervision.

Under the new restrictions of Medicare’s National Correct Coding Initiative (NCCI), the appropriate testing codes for psychological testing or neuropsychological testing may be billed together for the same patient on the same day if the codes represent different tests or services. 

>   HOW MANY TRAIL MAKING TESTS HAVE BEEN ADMINISTERED?

For more than half of a century, it is estimated that millions of Trail Making Tests have been administered worldwide.  No other cognitive assessment is as popular and as widely recognized as the Trail Making Test. 

The Trail Making Test Part B and the Clock Drawing Test are the only two cognitive tests recommended by the American Medical Association to assess older drivers.  (The Online Trail Making Test ™ can be used with the online, Automatic Clock Drawing Test ™ for this purpose.)

>   HOW ARE TRAIL MAKING TESTS NOW USED?

Trail Making Tests are used to evaluate the executive function, impulsivity, visual search, visual attention, and motor speed, among others, of individuals.  Trail Making Tests provide strong measures of mental abilities of individuals.  For this reason, they are also used for fitness to drive determinations, as recommended by the American Medical Association.

>   WHY IS THE TRAIL MAKING TEST NOW AVAILABLE ON THE INTERNET?

The Trail Making Test, one of the most widely used cognitive assessments since its development in 1944 for the War Department of the US Army, was limited to paper-based administration.  For more than half of a century, the Trails Making Test, an integral medical assessment, excluded individuals with special needs and disabilities.  As paper-based product, Trail Making Tests were also not eco-friendly tools.  Our concern for improved assistive technologies and the environment led us to a new, completely Internet-based format.  

>   HOW FAST ARE ONLINE TRAIL MAKING TESTS ™ COMPARED TO TRADITIONAL TRAIL MAKING TESTS?

Studies show that Online Trail Making Tests ™ are about 2.5 times faster to take than traditional Trail Making Tests on paper.   Since Online Trail Making Tests ™ provide instant scores and feedback, there are also huge savings in time, labor, and training when compared to traditional administration. 

Online Trail Making Tests ™ are designed to take less than 300 seconds to complete.  On average, these tests take as little as 180 seconds (from the instruction screen to the completed questions).  

>   WHAT ARE SOME OF THE BENEFITS OF ONLINE TRAIL MAKING TESTS ™?

Benefits of Online Trail Making Tests ™ include:

•  Completely online
•  Very fast, sensitive, & objective test
•  Self-service (autonomous) option
•  Instant scores & feedback
•  Records, prints, & saves results
•  Graphics & statistics of data
•  Scientifically proven
•  Multimedia & interactive
•  User friendly
•  Many foreign languages
•  Easily exports data
•  Touch screen Sytotechnology ™ option
•  Standardized & paperless tests
•  Useful for all ages & cultures
•  Ideal assistive technology
•  Optimized for repeated administration
•  Engages people who are unable to draw or write

•  Compliance with 21 CFR 11, HIPAA, ICH GCP,& ISO 9001:2000

>   WHAT ARE SOME OF THE MORE IMMEDIATE ADVANTAGES OF ONLINE TRAIL MAKING TESTS ™?

Online Trail Making Tests ™

  • streamline operations

  • computerize testing processes that were always subject to bias

  • allow for a self-service option

  • reduce patient wait time

  • improve medical performance

  • eliminate the need for paper and thereby offer a truly green solution

  • save time, labor, and money associated with important cognitive tests

  • recognized as prestigious SFBJ 08 Technology Award Finalist

 

>   WHAT TYPES OF ONLINE TRAIL MAKING TESTS ™ ARE NOW AVAILABLE?

There are six types of patents-pending Online Trail Making Tests ™ available:

We offer at least five distinct varieties of tests.  Although the most popular Online Trail Making Test is a computerized version of the traditional trails test, some researchers and clinicians prefer Trails tests with defined errors.

Additionally, all Online Trail Making Tests ™  can be quickly and easily integrated with any of the hundreds of online tests featured in the SpecialtyAutomated GREEN Catalog. 

Collectively, these can allow for the rapid and comprehensive evaluation of cognition with vision, knowledge, and / or driving skills, among other areas.

>   ARE ONLINE TRAIL MAKING TESTS ™ NOW AVAILABLE IN ENGLISH AND OTHER LANGUAGES?

Online Trail Making Tests ™ are now available in numerous languages.  Until now, for example, speakers of the French language had to administer Trail Making Tests in the French language.  Online Trail Making Tests ™ eliminate the need for speakers of other languages to administer tests in other languages. 

Since the Online Trail Making Tests ™ are available in numerous languages, they can be simultaneously administered at multiple locations worldwide.  These are important tests for cognition that can now be studied by researchers and clinicians in real time because Online Trail Making Tests ™ are standardized and provide instant scores.

>   ARE ONLINE TRAIL MAKING TESTS ™ USEFUL FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES AND SPECIAL NEEDS?

Online Trail Making Tests ™ are very useful for individuals with disabilities and special needs.  Until now, individuals with disabilities or special needs were excluded from traditional Trail Making Tests or faced hardship,  humiliation, and even test bias with the assistance of trained staff.  Our Online Trail Making Tests ™ enable individuals who cannot draw or hold a writing instrument to actively participate in Trail Making Tests. 

>   WHAT KIND OF COMPUTER MONITOR IS RECOMMENDED FOR THE ONLINE TRAIL MAKING TEST ™ ?

As part of our efforts to promote green and eco-friendly products, we do not encourage the purchase of new equipment.  Therefore, at a minimum, a 15 inch (38.1 cm) LCD monitor that is free from glare and dust is usable.  Ideally, at a minimum, a 15 inch (38.1 cm) touch screen monitor that is sensitive to touch, and free from glare and dust, is advised, especially for optimal assistive technology applications.

>   HOW ARE ONLINE TRAIL MAKING TESTS ™  DELIVERED OVER THE INTERNET?

All Online Trail Making Tests ™ are delivered online, over the Internet. No fancy or expensive equipment or setups are needed. No trees are cut for wood. No software, CD-ROMs, or DVDs from the last millennium. No downloads. Just click and connect on any computer with Internet access.

ARE ONLINE TRAIL MAKING TESTS ™ REALLY GREEN PRODUCTS?

Online Trail Making Tests ™ are really green products.  SpecialtyAutomated, manufacturer of the Online Trail Making Tests ™, is a totally green company because all Internet-based tests and solutions are paperless.  Since trees are cut for wood and wood is processed for paper, fewer trees are cut when there is little demand or use for paper.  When trees are maintained and grown, our environment and, ultimately, our planet, become more green or eco-friendly. 

Online tests also do not require any software, CD-ROMs, flash drives, or heavy or special equipment.  Software, flash drives, and CD-ROMs become obsolete or defective. 

Millions of CD-ROM and DVD disks end up in landfills and incinerators each year.  These disks create unnecessary pollution and harm to the environment and atmosphere. 

Additionally, e-waste is a major source of pollution.  Since online tests are administered over a client’s networked computers, no new or heavy hardware, cabinets, kiosks, modular units, synthetic materials, equipment, or other devices are needed.  Such items tend to be designed from metals, plastics, and wood that damage the environment. 

>   WHAT ARE TYPICAL APPLICATIONS FOR TRAIL MAKING TESTS?

  • Hospitals

  • Clinics

  • Rehabilitation centers

  • Occupational therapy offices

  • Schools

  • Universities

  • Driver education & re-certification

  • Driver's license bureaus

  • Transport

  • Government agencies

  • Education

  • Health

  • Military

  • Clinical research trials

  • Sport team selection & injury evaluation

  • Workplace safety

  • Assistive technologies

  • Community programs

  • Teen driver education

  • Geriatric centers

  • Nursing home admissions

  • Insurance companies

  • Pilot studies

  • Human factors research
     

>   WHAT ARE ONLINE TRAIL MAKING TESTS ™  USED FOR?

Online Trail Making Tests ™ may be used for:

 

  • Autism

  • Brain Fitness

  • Cognition Evaluation

  • Traumatic Brain Injury  (TBI)

  • Loss of Memory

  • Memory Improvement Exercises

  • Stroke

  • Schizophrenia

  • Impulsivity

  • Addiction

  • Depression

  • Unipolar and Bipolar Disorders

  • Driving Assessments

  • Dementia

  • Alzheimer Disease

  • Parkinson's Disease

  • Physical Therapy

  • Neurology Evaluations

  • Psychology Evaluations

  • Neuropsychologic or other psychiatric disorders

>   WHERE IS A RECENT TESTIMONY OF THESE ONLINE TESTS?

Mae Volen, a premier senior center celebrating 40 years of outstanding services in Florida, provides the following testimony:

Using online testing systems .... enable testing to be done more quickly, ensure that the potential for tester bias is virtually eliminated, and in general conserve time and resources....  More importantly, the results of online testing mirrored the results that we know were obtained using the traditional assessments done of the individuals who used the automated tests.  And, in some cases the .....tests identified individuals who had not  yet been formally diagnosed with a cognitive disorder. In sum, the SpecialtyAutomated  testing methods worked and worked quickly." 

-   Brenda K. Bryant, Vice President, Mae Volen Senior Center     

>   WHICH WEB BROWSERS WILL WORK WITH ONLINE TRAIL MAKING TESTS ™?

SpecialtyAutomated screening tests, unless otherwise noted, run locally or remotely on PC systems. An Internet connection is needed for web-based screening tests.  

Flash Player 6.0.79 or later (http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflash)  is required.  One of the following browsers is recommended for viewing the Online Trail Making Tests ™:

 Windows 98:     (Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.x, Netscape 4.7, Netscape 7.x, Firefox 1.x, AOL 8, and Opera 7.11)

Windows 2000  (Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.x, Netscape 4.7, Netscape 7.x, Firefox 1.x, CompuServe 7, AOL 8, and Opera 7.11)

Windows XP:     (Microsoft Internet Explorer 6.0, Netscape 7.x, Firefox 1.x, CompuServe 7, AOL 8, and Opera 7.11)

Windows Vista:  (Microsoft Internet Explorer 6.0, Netscape 7.x, Firefox 1.x, CompuServe 7, AOL 8, and Opera 7.11)

Mac OS 9.x:       (Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.1, Netscape 4.8, Netscape 7.x, Mozilla 1.x, and Opera 6)

Mac OS 10.x:     (Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.2, Netscape 7.x, Mozilla 1.x, AOL 7, Opera 6, and Safari 1.0 (Mac OS 10.2x or later only))

Linux                  (Konqueror 3.3.1, Mozilla 1.7.3, Firefox 1.x)

 

>   WHAT ARE THE SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS FOR ONLINE TRAIL MAKING TESTS?

Options for immediate feedback, printable scores and results, or scores or results emailed to the network specialist are available.  For system administrator content management, at a minimum, we recommend Windows 2000, Windows 2003, and/ or Windows XP (Microsoft Internet Explorer 6.x, Firefox 1.5).  For Windows Vista, please consider Microsoft Internet Explorer 7.x, Firefox 1.5, at a minimum.  A printer is needed for the optional print out.  Online Trail Making Tests ™ also allow for collection and analysis of data.   Speakers or a headset are needed for the optional audio format. 

>   WHO PROVIDES INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE ONLINE TRAIL MAKING TESTS ™?

Instructions are automatically presented on an introductory screen. These are followed by sample questions to familiarize the examinee with the online screening test process. 

>   IS THERE A CATALOG THAT CONTAINS THESE ONLINE TRAIL MAKING TESTS ™ ?

There is a catalog,  an all-new GREEN Catalog,  by SpecialtyAutomated , that contains hundreds of revolutionary and eco-friendly online tests for vision, cognition, knowledge, and driving skills. Online Trail Making Tests ™ can be ordered alone or in combination with any of these other online tests.   The  GREEN Catalog is only available online.

>   IS THERE A NEWS LETTER ABOUT ONLINE TRAIL MAKING TESTS ™ AND OTHER ONLINE TESTS?

The e-News is an incredible source of information for our national and international communities.   The e-News  contains information about Online Trail Making Tests ™ and other premier online tests.

>  HOW ARE WE BILLED FOR ONLINE TRAIL MAKING TESTS ™ ?

Online Trail Making Tests ™ are billed for one month of service and can be administered on any number of computers.  Most major credit cards are accepted online.  A minimum order of 50 Online Trail Making Tests ™ for one month of online service is required.  Significant discounts and savings apply to larger, bulk orders.  Additional tests can be purchased in increments of 100 tests at any time.  Tests in languages other than English and Spanish are also available.  Please email us immediately if you have any questions.

>   HOW DO WE CONTACT SPECIALTYAUTOMATED, THIS COMPANY?

Please contact SpecialtyAutomated by email at:

http://www.trailmakingtest.com/contact.htm

We welcome all general and technical questions through this convenient and online form.

A toll-free telephone number is provided for orders (purchases) only.

>   HOW DO I ORDER AN ONLINE TRAIL MAKING TEST ™?

Online Trail Making Tests ™ are purchased online at:  http://www.trailmakingtest.com/order.htm

>   HOW DO WE ORDER A DEMO OF AN ONLINE TRAIL MAKING TEST ™?

Demos of Online Trail Making Tests ™ are purchased online at:   http://www.trailmakingtest.com/order.htm

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