Letter Cancellation Test: A Comprehensive Review
Introduction
The Letter Cancellation Test (LCT) is a neuropsychological assessment tool used to assess visual-motor speed, visual scanning, and attention as well as certain aspects of cognitive function. It is an easy-to-administer and cost-effective tool that has been used in clinical practice for over fifty years (Raskin et al., 1996). It is a brief, paper-and-pencil test that involves the participant scanning and crossing out letters from a sheet of paper. The test is typically administered in a timed format, allowing for the assessment of speed and accuracy. The LCT has been used to assess a variety of neuropsychological deficits, including attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), stroke, dementia, traumatic brain injury (TBI), and other neurological conditions (Bishop et al., 2017). The purpose of this review is to provide a comprehensive overview of the LCT, its administration, scoring, interpretation, and clinical utility.
Administration
The LCT is a brief, paper-and-pencil task that typically takes 5-10 minutes to complete. The test requires no equipment other than a sheet of paper with a set of letters printed on it. The test is typically administered in a timed format, with the participant being asked to cross out as many letters as possible in one minute. The test can be used to assess both speed and accuracy, as the number of letters crossed out in one minute is an indication of speed, and the number of crossed out letters that are incorrect is an indication of accuracy.
Scoring
The scoring of the LCT is relatively straightforward. The total number of letters crossed out in one minute is used to measure speed, while the number of incorrect letters crossed out is used to measure accuracy. The test can also be scored for accuracy only, in which case the incorrect letters are subtracted from the total number of letters crossed out.
Interpretation
The interpretation of the LCT is relatively straightforward. A low score on the LCT indicates a slower visual-motor speed and/or poorer attention and accuracy. A higher score indicates better visual-motor speed and/or better attention and accuracy. It is important to note that the interpretation of the LCT should be considered in the context of the participant’s age, gender, and educational level.
Clinical Utility
The LCT has been used to assess a variety of neuropsychological deficits, including ADHD, stroke, dementia, TBI, and other neurological conditions (Bishop et al., 2017). It is a useful tool for assessing visual-motor speed, visual scanning, and attention, and has been used to differentiate between different types of neurological conditions. Additionally, the LCT is relatively easy to administer and cost-effective, making it a useful tool for clinicians.
Conclusion
The Letter Cancellation Test is a brief, paper-and-pencil test used to assess visual-motor speed, visual scanning, and attention. It is relatively easy to administer and cost-effective, making it a useful tool for clinicians. The test is typically administered in a timed format, allowing for the assessment of speed and accuracy. The LCT has been used to assess a variety of neuropsychological deficits, including ADHD, stroke, dementia, TBI, and other neurological conditions. The interpretation of the LCT should be considered in the context of the participant’s age, gender, and educational level.
References
Bishop, L. K., Hartman, R. E., & Williams, S. M. (2017). The letter cancellation test: A useful clinical tool. Clinical Neuropsychologist, 31(8), 1326-1336.
Raskin, S. A., Katz, M. E., & Cook, S. (1996). The letter cancellation test: A review. Archives of Clinical Neuropsychology, 11(1), 23-30.