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  1. Home
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  5. /Aging, frailty and exercise
  6. /Trail Making Test

Clinical trials data

Trail Making Test in aging, frailty and exercise trials: 255 registered studies

Every registered aging, frailty and exercise study on ClinicalTrials.gov that names the Trail Making Test in an outcome measure: how often it is a primary outcome, the tests named with it, how large the studies are and when they measure it.

Registered aging, frailty and exercise studies name it in an outcome measure
255
Name it in a primary outcome, 33%
83 of 255
Of the condition's 1,398 studies name it, against 14% of all registered studies
18%
Other conditions
Median participants per study
80
By phase
Try Trail Making Test ATry Trail Making Test B

Tests named in the same studies

The library tests that aging, frailty and exercise studies naming the Trail Making Test name most often beside it.
  1. 1

    Stroop Color-Word Test90 studies, 42 as a primary outcome

  2. 2

    Digit Span Test62 studies, 27 as a primary outcome

  3. 3

    Verbal Fluency60 studies, 23 as a primary outcome

  4. 4

    Verbal Learning56 studies, 19 as a primary outcome

  5. 5

    Symbol Coding52 studies, 15 as a primary outcome

  6. 6

    Category Fluency17 studies, 10 as a primary outcome

  7. 7

    Task Switching Test17 studies, 9 as a primary outcome

  8. 8

    N-Back Task13 studies, 8 as a primary outcome

  9. 9

    Go/No-Go Task12 studies, 8 as a primary outcome

  10. 10

    Short Story Recall12 studies, 4 as a primary outcome

A test as a primary outcomeOnly in secondary or other outcomes

Studies by start year

Each study counted once. 2026 is partly planned starts.
02000: 0 studies, 0 with a test as a primary outcome20002001: 0 studies, 0 with a test as a primary outcome2002: 0 studies, 0 with a test as a primary outcome2003: 0 studies, 0 with a test as a primary outcome2004: 0 studies, 0 with a test as a primary outcome2005: 0 studies, 0 with a test as a primary outcome20052006: 0 studies, 0 with a test as a primary outcome2007: 1 studies, 0 with a test as a primary outcome2008: 1 studies, 1 with a test as a primary outcome2009: 2 studies, 1 with a test as a primary outcome2010: 0 studies, 0 with a test as a primary outcome20102011: 1 studies, 0 with a test as a primary outcome2012: 4 studies, 1 with a test as a primary outcome2013: 6 studies, 3 with a test as a primary outcome2014: 5 studies, 2 with a test as a primary outcome2015: 10 studies, 3 with a test as a primary outcome20152016: 8 studies, 2 with a test as a primary outcome2017: 9 studies, 2 with a test as a primary outcome2018: 12 studies, 8 with a test as a primary outcome2019: 15 studies, 6 with a test as a primary outcome2020: 13 studies, 3 with a test as a primary outcome20202021: 25 studies, 9 with a test as a primary outcome2022: 31 studies, 9 with a test as a primary outcome2023: 28 studies, 8 with a test as a primary outcome2024: 27 studies, 9 with a test as a primary outcome2025: 33 studies, 10 with a test as a primary outcome20252026: 23 studies, 6 with a test as a primary outcome

A test as a primary outcomeOnly in secondary or other outcomes

Show as a table
Registered studies by start year
Start yearStudiesA test as a primary outcome
200000
200100
200200
200300
200400
200500
200600
200710
200811
200921
201000
201110
201241
201363
201452
2015103
201682
201792
2018128
2019156
2020133
2021259
2022319
2023288
2024279
20253310
2026236

Phases and study sizes

By phase

  • Early phase 11 studies, 0 as a primary outcome
  • Phase 1/21 studies, 1 as a primary outcome
  • Phase 26 studies, 2 as a primary outcome
  • Phase 2/31 studies, 0 as a primary outcome
  • Phase 32 studies, 1 as a primary outcome
  • Phase 42 studies, 1 as a primary outcome
  • Not applicable217 studies, 70 as a primary outcome
  • Observational25 studies, 8 as a primary outcome

Participants per study

102050100200
  • Not applicable80 median, 40 to 141
  • Observational80 median, 60 to 212
Participants per study. The bar spans the middle half of the studies in each phase, the mark is the median, and the axis is logarithmic. Phases with fewer than 10 studies that give a size are left out.
Show as a table
Participants per aging, frailty and exercise study that names the Trail Making Test, by phase
PhaseStudies with a sizeMedianMiddle half
Not applicable2158040 to 141
Observational258060 to 212

When aging, frailty and exercise trials measure it

Half of the primary outcomes that name the Trail Making Test are measured within 12 weeks of the start, and the middle half from 5 weeks to 6 months. 82 primary outcomes give a duration.

Latest time point of each outcome

  • Within a day31 outcomes, 11 as a primary outcome
  • Up to 4 weeks33 outcomes, 9 as a primary outcome
  • 1 to 3 months87 outcomes, 33 as a primary outcome
  • 3 to 6 months48 outcomes, 11 as a primary outcome
  • 6 to 12 months34 outcomes, 12 as a primary outcome
  • 1 to 2 years7 outcomes, 3 as a primary outcome
  • Over 2 years7 outcomes, 3 as a primary outcome
  • No duration given8 outcomes, 1 as a primary outcome

A test as a primary outcomeOnly in secondary or other outcomes

247 of the 255 outcome measures give a duration. A single visit counts as within a day.

Status, results, interventions and countries

Status

  • Recruiting54 studies, 12 as a primary outcome
  • Not yet recruiting17 studies, 7 as a primary outcome
  • Active, not recruiting16 studies, 6 as a primary outcome
  • Completed118 studies, 44 as a primary outcome
  • Stopped early10 studies, 2 as a primary outcome
  • Status unknown40 studies, 12 as a primary outcome

What they test

  • Behavioral110 studies, 38 as a primary outcome
  • Drug13 studies, 5 as a primary outcome
  • Device25 studies, 4 as a primary outcome
  • Dietary supplement28 studies, 7 as a primary outcome
  • Procedure4 studies, 2 as a primary outcome
  • Diagnostic test1 studies, 0 as a primary outcome
  • Biological1 studies, 0 as a primary outcome
  • Combination product3 studies, 1 as a primary outcome
  • Other95 studies, 28 as a primary outcome
  • None given10 studies, 3 as a primary outcome

Intervention types as registered. A study can list several; observational studies often list none.

Where their sites are

  • United States73 studies, 26 as a primary outcome
  • Spain26 studies, 11 as a primary outcome
  • Italy14 studies, 4 as a primary outcome
  • Canada12 studies, 4 as a primary outcome
  • France11 studies, 4 as a primary outcome
  • Taiwan11 studies, 6 as a primary outcome
  • Hong Kong9 studies, 0 as a primary outcome
  • Sweden9 studies, 3 as a primary outcome
  • Brazil8 studies, 1 as a primary outcome
  • China7 studies, 0 as a primary outcome
  • Portugal7 studies, 3 as a primary outcome
  • Netherlands6 studies, 1 as a primary outcome

36 countries in all. A study with sites in several counts in each; 15 list no site.

Reported results

Completed studies with results posted on ClinicalTrials.gov, a results paper the registry links to the study, or both.

Completed aging, frailty and exercise studies that name the Trail Making Test: 59 of 118, 50%

Every completed study with a cognitive outcome: 3,626 of 7,953, 46%

Completed aging, frailty and exercise studies that name the Trail Making Test and every completed study, by how they reported results
ResultsCompleted aging, frailty and exercise studies that name the Trail Making TestEvery completed study
Results on ClinicalTrials.gov and a paper6, 5%776, 10%
Results on ClinicalTrials.gov only14, 12%1,139, 14%
A results paper only39, 33%1,711, 22%
Neither59, 50%4,327, 54%

The 255 studies

Filter by phase, sponsor, status, country, intervention, outcome list, size and start year. Each study links to its record on ClinicalTrials.gov.
ConditionAging, frailty and exercise
TestThe Trail Making Test

255 studies match. 83 name the Trail Making Test in a primary outcome. Median size 80 participants. Median time to the primary outcome: 12 weeks.

Loading 255 studies; the filters turn on when they arrive.

By start year
0102030402000: 0 studies, 0 naming the Trail Making Test in a primary outcome20002001: 0 studies, 0 naming the Trail Making Test in a primary outcome2002: 0 studies, 0 naming the Trail Making Test in a primary outcome2003: 0 studies, 0 naming the Trail Making Test in a primary outcome2004: 0 studies, 0 naming the Trail Making Test in a primary outcome2005: 0 studies, 0 naming the Trail Making Test in a primary outcome20052006: 0 studies, 0 naming the Trail Making Test in a primary outcome2007: 1 studies, 0 naming the Trail Making Test in a primary outcome2008: 1 studies, 1 naming the Trail Making Test in a primary outcome2009: 2 studies, 1 naming the Trail Making Test in a primary outcome2010: 0 studies, 0 naming the Trail Making Test in a primary outcome20102011: 1 studies, 0 naming the Trail Making Test in a primary outcome2012: 4 studies, 1 naming the Trail Making Test in a primary outcome2013: 6 studies, 3 naming the Trail Making Test in a primary outcome2014: 5 studies, 2 naming the Trail Making Test in a primary outcome2015: 10 studies, 3 naming the Trail Making Test in a primary outcome20152016: 8 studies, 2 naming the Trail Making Test in a primary outcome2017: 9 studies, 2 naming the Trail Making Test in a primary outcome2018: 12 studies, 8 naming the Trail Making Test in a primary outcome2019: 15 studies, 6 naming the Trail Making Test in a primary outcome2020: 13 studies, 3 naming the Trail Making Test in a primary outcome20202021: 25 studies, 9 naming the Trail Making Test in a primary outcome2022: 31 studies, 9 naming the Trail Making Test in a primary outcome2023: 28 studies, 8 naming the Trail Making Test in a primary outcome2024: 27 studies, 9 naming the Trail Making Test in a primary outcome2025: 33 studies, 10 naming the Trail Making Test in a primary outcome20252026: 23 studies, 6 naming the Trail Making Test in a primary outcome

2026 is partly planned starts. Not shown: 1 planned to start after 2026.

Show as a table
Matching studies by start year
Start yearStudiesAs a primary outcome
200000
200100
200200
200300
200400
200500
200600
200710
200811
200921
201000
201110
201241
201363
201452
2015103
201682
201792
2018128
2019156
2020133
2021259
2022319
2023288
2024279
20253310
2026236

Library tests named most

  • Trail Making Test255 studies, 83 as a primary outcome
  • Stroop Color-Word Test90 studies, 42 as a primary outcome
  • Digit Span Test62 studies, 27 as a primary outcome
  • Verbal Fluency60 studies, 23 as a primary outcome
  • Verbal Learning56 studies, 19 as a primary outcome
  • Symbol Coding52 studies, 15 as a primary outcome
  • Category Fluency17 studies, 10 as a primary outcome
  • Task Switching Test17 studies, 9 as a primary outcome
  • N-Back Task13 studies, 8 as a primary outcome
  • Go/No-Go Task12 studies, 8 as a primary outcome

Largest condition groups

  • Aging, frailty and exercise255 studies, 83 as a primary outcome
  • Healthy volunteers27 studies, 10 as a primary outcome
  • Mild cognitive impairment25 studies, 9 as a primary outcome
  • Dementia and Alzheimer's22 studies, 7 as a primary outcome
  • Parkinson's disease16 studies, 6 as a primary outcome
  • Obesity and diabetes15 studies, 4 as a primary outcome
  • Sleep and sleep disorders11 studies, 4 as a primary outcome
  • Cardiovascular disease11 studies, 3 as a primary outcome
  • Depression and bipolar disorder6 studies, 1 as a primary outcome
  • Stroke4 studies, 1 as a primary outcome
  • Delirium, surgery and intensive care4 studies, 0 as a primary outcome
  • Multiple sclerosis3 studies, 0 as a primary outcome

Phases

Participants

Lead sponsor: industry 7, other 248. Interventional 230, observational 25.

As a primary outcomeSecondary or other outcomeThe Trail Making Test

The studies, newest registration first

Each number opens the study's record on ClinicalTrials.gov.

Registered studies that match the filters, newest registration first, with the library tests each one names and the outcome list that names them.
StudyStartPhaseConditionsParticipantsLead sponsorStatusLibrary tests named, with the latest time point
NCT07902206Start2026PhaseNot applicableConditionsAging, frailty and exercise, Huntington's diseaseParticipants88Lead sponsorOtherStatusNot yet recruitingLibrary tests named
  • Trail Making TestSecondary6 months
  • Stroop Color-Word TestSecondary6 months
  • Verbal FluencySecondary6 months
  • Symbol CodingSecondary6 months
NCT07841145Start2026PhaseNot applicableConditionsDementia and Alzheimer's, Aging, frailty and exerciseParticipants68Lead sponsorOtherStatusNot yet recruitingLibrary tests named
  • Trail Making TestSecondary13 weeks
  • Verbal FluencySecondary13 weeks
NCT07822048Start2026PhaseNot applicableConditionsAging, frailty and exerciseParticipants20Lead sponsorOtherStatusRecruitingLibrary tests named
  • Trail Making TestOther outcome3 days
  • Psychomotor Vigilance TaskOther outcome3 days
NCT07819565Start2026PhaseNot applicableConditionsAging, frailty and exerciseParticipants20Lead sponsorOtherStatusRecruitingLibrary tests named
  • Trail Making TestOther outcome3 days
  • Psychomotor Vigilance TaskOther outcome3 days
NCT07792876Start2025PhaseNot applicableConditionsHealthy volunteers, Aging, frailty and exerciseParticipants12Lead sponsorOtherStatusRecruitingLibrary tests named
  • Trail Making TestPrimary5 weeks
  • Go/No-Go TaskPrimary5 weeks
  • Corsi Block-Tapping TestPrimary5 weeks
NCT07733726Start2025PhaseNot applicableConditionsMild cognitive impairment, Aging, frailty and exerciseParticipants66Lead sponsorOtherStatusRecruitingLibrary tests named
  • Trail Making TestSecondary7 months
  • Verbal FluencySecondary7 months
NCT07726732Start2026PhaseNot applicableConditionsAging, frailty and exerciseParticipants300Lead sponsorOtherStatusRecruitingLibrary tests named
  • Trail Making TestPrimary15 months
  • Cancellation TestPrimary9 months
NCT07666685Start2026PhaseNot applicableConditionsAging, frailty and exercise, Cardiovascular diseaseParticipants120Lead sponsorOtherStatusRecruitingLibrary tests named
  • Trail Making TestPrimary12 weeks
  • Stroop Color-Word TestPrimary12 weeks
  • Symbol CodingPrimary12 weeks
  • Task Switching TestPrimary12 weeks
NCT07642726Start2018PhaseObservationalConditionsDementia and Alzheimer's, Aging, frailty and exerciseParticipants276Lead sponsorOtherStatusCompletedLibrary tests named
  • Trail Making TestPrimary12 months
  • Verbal FluencySecondary12 months
  • Delayed Recall ModuleSecondary12 months
NCT07633392Start2026PhaseNot applicableConditionsAging, frailty and exercise, Substance use and addiction, Sleep and sleep disorders, Cardiovascular diseaseParticipants240Lead sponsorOtherStatusRecruitingLibrary tests named
  • Trail Making TestSecondary4 months
  • Symbol CodingSecondary4 months
NCT07628686Start2026PhaseNot applicableConditionsAging, frailty and exerciseParticipants120Lead sponsorOtherStatusNot yet recruitingLibrary tests named
  • Trail Making TestSecondary12 months
  • Stroop Color-Word TestSecondary12 months
  • Verbal LearningSecondary12 months
  • Verbal FluencySecondary12 months
  • Picture Naming TestSecondary12 months
  • Short Story RecallSecondary12 months
  • Cancellation TestSecondary12 months
NCT07624630Start2026PhaseObservationalConditionsStroke, Aging, frailty and exerciseParticipants50Lead sponsorOtherStatusRecruitingLibrary tests named
  • Trail Making TestSecondarysame day
  • Stroop Color-Word TestPrimarysame day
  • Verbal LearningSecondarysame day
  • Verbal FluencySecondarysame day
NCT07623122Start2024PhaseNot applicableConditionsHealthy volunteers, Aging, frailty and exerciseParticipants120Lead sponsorOtherStatusCompletedLibrary tests named
  • Trail Making TestSecondary4 weeks
  • Symbol CodingSecondary4 weeks
  • Clock Drawing TaskSecondary4 weeks
NCT07616050Start2026PhaseNot applicableConditionsMild cognitive impairment, Stroke, Parkinson's disease, Multiple sclerosis, Aging, frailty and exerciseParticipants70Lead sponsorOtherStatusNot yet recruitingLibrary tests named
  • Trail Making TestSecondary9 weeks
  • Stroop Color-Word TestSecondary9 weeks
NCT07598409Start2025PhaseNot applicableConditionsMild cognitive impairment, Healthy volunteers, Aging, frailty and exerciseParticipants156Lead sponsorOtherStatusRecruitingLibrary tests named
  • Trail Making TestSecondary13 weeks
  • Digit Span TestSecondary13 weeks
NCT07569120Start2026PhaseNot applicableConditionsParkinson's disease, Healthy volunteers, Aging, frailty and exerciseParticipants165Lead sponsorOtherStatusRecruitingLibrary tests named
  • Trail Making TestSecondary2 days
  • Verbal FluencySecondary2 days
  • Digit Span TestSecondary2 days
  • Category FluencySecondary2 days
  • Tower PlanningSecondary2 days
NCT07567976Start2026PhaseNot applicableConditionsAging, frailty and exerciseParticipants90Lead sponsorOtherStatusNot yet recruitingLibrary tests named
  • Trail Making TestSecondary12 weeks
NCT07534293Start2026PhaseNot applicableConditionsAging, frailty and exerciseParticipants20Lead sponsorOtherStatusCompletedLibrary tests named
  • Trail Making TestSecondary1 week
  • Go/No-Go TaskPrimary1 week
NCT07513701Start2026PhaseNot applicableConditionsAging, frailty and exerciseParticipants224Lead sponsorOtherStatusRecruitingLibrary tests named
  • Trail Making TestSecondary13 weeks
NCT07497334Start2025PhaseNot applicableConditionsMild cognitive impairment, Aging, frailty and exerciseParticipants45Lead sponsorOtherStatusRecruitingLibrary tests named
  • Trail Making TestSecondary6 months
  • Stroop Color-Word TestSecondary6 months
  • Digit Span TestSecondary6 months
  • Symbol CodingSecondary6 months
  • Task Switching TestSecondary6 months
NCT07485062Start2026PhasePhase 4ConditionsAging, frailty and exercise, Obesity and diabetesParticipants164Lead sponsorOtherStatusNot yet recruitingLibrary tests named
  • Trail Making TestPrimary7 months
  • Stroop Color-Word TestSecondary7 months
  • Verbal LearningSecondary7 months
  • Digit Span TestSecondary7 months
  • Symbol CodingSecondary7 months
  • Eriksen Flanker TaskSecondary7 months
NCT07446062Start2026PhaseNot applicableConditionsStroke, Aging, frailty and exerciseParticipants52Lead sponsorOtherStatusNot yet recruitingLibrary tests named
  • Trail Making TestPrimary13 weeks
  • Digit Span TestSecondary13 weeks
NCT07443657Start2024PhaseNot applicableConditionsAging, frailty and exerciseParticipants30Lead sponsorOtherStatusCompletedLibrary tests named
  • Trail Making TestSecondary5 weeks
  • Stroop Color-Word TestSecondary5 weeks
  • Digit Span TestSecondary5 weeks
NCT07392944Start2026PhaseNot applicableConditionsDementia and Alzheimer's, Aging, frailty and exerciseParticipants60Lead sponsorOtherStatusRecruitingLibrary tests named
  • Trail Making TestSecondary4 months
  • Symbol CodingSecondary4 months
NCT07392723Start2025PhasePhase 2ConditionsDementia and Alzheimer's, Aging, frailty and exerciseParticipants20Lead sponsorOtherStatusRecruitingLibrary tests named
  • Trail Making TestSecondary6 months
  • Digit Span TestSecondary6 months
  • Category FluencySecondary6 months
  • Delayed Recall ModuleSecondary6 months

Page 1 of 11

Questions, answered from the data

How many aging, frailty and exercise trials use the Trail Making Test?

255 registered aging, frailty and exercise studies on ClinicalTrials.gov name it in an outcome measure, 83 of them in a primary outcome: 18% of the condition's 1,398 studies with a cognitive outcome, against 14% of all of them. It is the test aging, frailty and exercise trials name most.

Which tests do aging, frailty and exercise trials use with the Trail Making Test?

The Stroop Color-Word Test (90 studies), the Digit Span Test (62 studies) and Verbal Fluency (60 studies).

When do aging, frailty and exercise trials measure the Trail Making Test?

Half of the primary outcomes that name the Trail Making Test are measured within 12 weeks of the start, and the middle half from 5 weeks to 6 months. 82 primary outcomes give a duration.

How many completed aging, frailty and exercise trials that use the Trail Making Test have reported results?

59 of the 118 completed studies that name it, 50%, have reported results: 20 posted them on ClinicalTrials.gov, 45 have a results paper linked to the registry record, and 6 did both. The other 59 show neither. Of all completed studies with a cognitive outcome, 46% have reported results.

More on the Trail Making Test and aging, frailty and exercise

  • Every cognitive test in aging, frailty and exercise trials: 1,398 studies
  • The Trail Making Test in all clinical trials: 2,293 studies

The Trail Making Test in other conditions

  • Dementia and Alzheimer's273
  • Mild cognitive impairment213
  • Depression and bipolar disorder204
  • Cancer187
  • Parkinson's disease156
  • Stroke156
  • Brain injury and concussion115
  • Cardiovascular disease105
  • Obesity and diabetes102
  • Schizophrenia and psychosis102
  • Pain and fatigue94
  • Sleep and sleep disorders85
  • Cognitive impairment and decline77
  • Anxiety, PTSD and OCD69
  • Delirium, surgery and intensive care69
  • Healthy volunteers68
  • Substance use and addiction52

Other tests in aging, frailty and exercise trials

  • Stroop Color-Word Test230
  • Verbal Fluency136
  • Digit Span Test129
  • Verbal Learning128
  • Symbol Coding116
  • N-Back Task68

How the studies are counted

For each test family, the census runs ClinicalTrials.gov's own outcome search for the family's names and reads every study first posted by the day the family was counted. These studies were read on 10 November 2026. A study counts once on a page, however many tests it names. Counts for a test cover every version of the task under any of its names, so a page can count studies that used a commercial version.

The census adds two things to each record and changes nothing in it: which outcome list names the test (primary, then secondary, then other), and the condition groups, matched on the study's condition names and MeSH terms. A study can fall in several groups; one whose only condition is cognitive impairment or decline falls in “Cognitive impairment and decline”. Studies that name only instruments outside the library count in every total and share but are not listed.

A second read on 10 November 2026 added each study's overall status, whether results are posted, its intervention types, the countries of its sites and the time frame of the outcome that names each test. A time frame counts by the latest time point it names: “Baseline, 12 and 24 weeks” is 24 weeks, a single visit is within a day, and one that names no duration, such as “end of treatment”, is left out of the timings.

A third read on 10 November 2026 added the papers the registry links to each study: those its sponsor lists as reporting results, and those PubMed links to it through the study's NCT number. A study has a results paper when one of them came out in or after the month of its primary completion and PubMed does not class it as a protocol, review or comment. A paper that never gives the NCT number is not linked, so some studies counted as reporting neither did publish.

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine, which does not endorse these pages. Every study line is in the data release 2.1.0, and the explorer's own file is clinical-trials-studies.json.

The census counts Trail Making Test A and Trail Making Test B as one test family, so this page counts their studies together.

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