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    16,361Registered studies name a cognitive test in an outcome measure11,688 name a test you can run hereExplore the studies
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  1. Home
  2. /Data
  3. /Clinical trials
  4. /Conditions
  5. /Cancer
  6. /Trail Making Test

Clinical trials data

Trail Making Test in cancer trials: 187 registered studies

Every registered cancer 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 cancer studies name it in an outcome measure
187
Name it in a primary outcome, 29%
54 of 187
Of the condition's 760 studies name it, against 14% of all registered studies
25%
Other conditions
Median participants per study
86
By phase
Try Trail Making Test ATry Trail Making Test B

Tests named in the same studies

The library tests that cancer studies naming the Trail Making Test name most often beside it.
  1. 1

    Verbal Learning121 studies, 46 as a primary outcome

  2. 2

    Verbal Fluency119 studies, 37 as a primary outcome

  3. 3

    Digit Span Test52 studies, 20 as a primary outcome

  4. 4

    Symbol Coding27 studies, 14 as a primary outcome

  5. 5

    Stroop Color-Word Test26 studies, 9 as a primary outcome

  6. 6

    Category Fluency15 studies, 4 as a primary outcome

  7. 7

    Task Switching Test10 studies, 2 as a primary outcome

  8. 8

    Paced Visual Serial Addition Test9 studies, 5 as a primary outcome

  9. 9

    Picture Naming Test9 studies, 5 as a primary outcome

  10. 10

    Continuous Performance Test8 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: 1 studies, 0 with a test as a primary outcome2003: 1 studies, 1 with a test as a primary outcome2004: 2 studies, 1 with a test as a primary outcome2005: 1 studies, 1 with a test as a primary outcome20052006: 1 studies, 0 with a test as a primary outcome2007: 1 studies, 0 with a test as a primary outcome2008: 2 studies, 0 with a test as a primary outcome2009: 4 studies, 0 with a test as a primary outcome2010: 1 studies, 1 with a test as a primary outcome20102011: 4 studies, 0 with a test as a primary outcome2012: 2 studies, 0 with a test as a primary outcome2013: 3 studies, 1 with a test as a primary outcome2014: 7 studies, 3 with a test as a primary outcome2015: 10 studies, 5 with a test as a primary outcome20152016: 9 studies, 0 with a test as a primary outcome2017: 16 studies, 3 with a test as a primary outcome2018: 11 studies, 4 with a test as a primary outcome2019: 10 studies, 5 with a test as a primary outcome2020: 12 studies, 5 with a test as a primary outcome20202021: 16 studies, 6 with a test as a primary outcome2022: 10 studies, 3 with a test as a primary outcome2023: 13 studies, 3 with a test as a primary outcome2024: 15 studies, 4 with a test as a primary outcome2025: 12 studies, 0 with a test as a primary outcome20252026: 22 studies, 8 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
200210
200311
200421
200511
200610
200710
200820
200940
201011
201140
201220
201331
201473
2015105
201690
2017163
2018114
2019105
2020125
2021166
2022103
2023133
2024154
2025120
2026228

Phases and study sizes

By phase

  • Early phase 11 studies, 0 as a primary outcome
  • Phase 11 studies, 0 as a primary outcome
  • Phase 1/25 studies, 1 as a primary outcome
  • Phase 231 studies, 5 as a primary outcome
  • Phase 2/31 studies, 0 as a primary outcome
  • Phase 318 studies, 5 as a primary outcome
  • Phase 42 studies, 0 as a primary outcome
  • Not applicable83 studies, 22 as a primary outcome
  • Observational45 studies, 21 as a primary outcome

Participants per study

102050100200500
  • Phase 269 median, 43 to 98
  • Phase 3318 median, 187 to 501
  • Not applicable70 median, 40 to 114
  • Observational100 median, 40 to 148
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 cancer study that names the Trail Making Test, by phase
PhaseStudies with a sizeMedianMiddle half
Phase 2306943 to 98
Phase 318318187 to 501
Not applicable807040 to 114
Observational4510040 to 148

When cancer trials measure it

Half of the primary outcomes that name the Trail Making Test are measured within 6 months of the start, and the middle half from 12 weeks to 12 months. 51 primary outcomes give a duration.

Latest time point of each outcome

  • Within a day15 outcomes, 4 as a primary outcome
  • Up to 4 weeks9 outcomes, 1 as a primary outcome
  • 1 to 3 months35 outcomes, 11 as a primary outcome
  • 3 to 6 months36 outcomes, 11 as a primary outcome
  • 6 to 12 months48 outcomes, 15 as a primary outcome
  • 1 to 2 years21 outcomes, 6 as a primary outcome
  • Over 2 years18 outcomes, 3 as a primary outcome
  • No duration given5 outcomes, 3 as a primary outcome

A test as a primary outcomeOnly in secondary or other outcomes

182 of the 187 outcome measures give a duration. A single visit counts as within a day.

Status, results, interventions and countries

Status

  • Recruiting50 studies, 15 as a primary outcome
  • Not yet recruiting9 studies, 4 as a primary outcome
  • Active, not recruiting23 studies, 3 as a primary outcome
  • Completed64 studies, 21 as a primary outcome
  • Stopped early14 studies, 3 as a primary outcome
  • Status unknown27 studies, 8 as a primary outcome

What they test

  • Behavioral40 studies, 13 as a primary outcome
  • Drug52 studies, 10 as a primary outcome
  • Device17 studies, 4 as a primary outcome
  • Procedure11 studies, 4 as a primary outcome
  • Diagnostic test8 studies, 2 as a primary outcome
  • Biological5 studies, 0 as a primary outcome
  • Radiation53 studies, 14 as a primary outcome
  • Other51 studies, 13 as a primary outcome
  • None given17 studies, 10 as a primary outcome

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

Where their sites are

  • United States87 studies, 28 as a primary outcome
  • Canada22 studies, 5 as a primary outcome
  • France17 studies, 2 as a primary outcome
  • Spain13 studies, 3 as a primary outcome
  • Italy11 studies, 4 as a primary outcome
  • Germany10 studies, 0 as a primary outcome
  • Netherlands10 studies, 2 as a primary outcome
  • China8 studies, 1 as a primary outcome
  • Denmark6 studies, 2 as a primary outcome
  • Australia5 studies, 0 as a primary outcome
  • United Kingdom5 studies, 0 as a primary outcome
  • Austria4 studies, 0 as a primary outcome

32 countries in all. A study with sites in several counts in each; 5 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 cancer studies that name the Trail Making Test: 36 of 64, 56%

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

Completed cancer studies that name the Trail Making Test and every completed study, by how they reported results
ResultsCompleted cancer studies that name the Trail Making TestEvery completed study
Results on ClinicalTrials.gov and a paper11, 17%776, 10%
Results on ClinicalTrials.gov only9, 14%1,139, 14%
A results paper only16, 25%1,711, 22%
Neither28, 44%4,327, 54%

The 187 studies

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

187 studies match. 54 name the Trail Making Test in a primary outcome. Median size 86 participants. Median time to the primary outcome: 6 months.

Loading 187 studies; the filters turn on when they arrive.

By start year
01020302000: 0 studies, 0 naming the Trail Making Test in a primary outcome20002001: 0 studies, 0 naming the Trail Making Test in a primary outcome2002: 1 studies, 0 naming the Trail Making Test in a primary outcome2003: 1 studies, 1 naming the Trail Making Test in a primary outcome2004: 2 studies, 1 naming the Trail Making Test in a primary outcome2005: 1 studies, 1 naming the Trail Making Test in a primary outcome20052006: 1 studies, 0 naming the Trail Making Test in a primary outcome2007: 1 studies, 0 naming the Trail Making Test in a primary outcome2008: 2 studies, 0 naming the Trail Making Test in a primary outcome2009: 4 studies, 0 naming the Trail Making Test in a primary outcome2010: 1 studies, 1 naming the Trail Making Test in a primary outcome20102011: 4 studies, 0 naming the Trail Making Test in a primary outcome2012: 2 studies, 0 naming the Trail Making Test in a primary outcome2013: 3 studies, 1 naming the Trail Making Test in a primary outcome2014: 7 studies, 3 naming the Trail Making Test in a primary outcome2015: 10 studies, 5 naming the Trail Making Test in a primary outcome20152016: 9 studies, 0 naming the Trail Making Test in a primary outcome2017: 16 studies, 3 naming the Trail Making Test in a primary outcome2018: 11 studies, 4 naming the Trail Making Test in a primary outcome2019: 10 studies, 5 naming the Trail Making Test in a primary outcome2020: 12 studies, 5 naming the Trail Making Test in a primary outcome20202021: 16 studies, 6 naming the Trail Making Test in a primary outcome2022: 10 studies, 3 naming the Trail Making Test in a primary outcome2023: 13 studies, 3 naming the Trail Making Test in a primary outcome2024: 15 studies, 4 naming the Trail Making Test in a primary outcome2025: 12 studies, 0 naming the Trail Making Test in a primary outcome20252026: 22 studies, 8 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
200210
200311
200421
200511
200610
200710
200820
200940
201011
201140
201220
201331
201473
2015105
201690
2017163
2018114
2019105
2020125
2021166
2022103
2023133
2024154
2025120
2026228

Library tests named most

  • Trail Making Test187 studies, 54 as a primary outcome
  • Verbal Learning121 studies, 46 as a primary outcome
  • Verbal Fluency119 studies, 37 as a primary outcome
  • Digit Span Test52 studies, 20 as a primary outcome
  • Symbol Coding27 studies, 14 as a primary outcome
  • Stroop Color-Word Test26 studies, 9 as a primary outcome
  • Category Fluency15 studies, 4 as a primary outcome
  • Task Switching Test10 studies, 2 as a primary outcome
  • Paced Visual Serial Addition Test9 studies, 5 as a primary outcome
  • Picture Naming Test9 studies, 5 as a primary outcome

Largest condition groups

  • Cancer187 studies, 54 as a primary outcome
  • Pain and fatigue16 studies, 5 as a primary outcome
  • Depression and bipolar disorder11 studies, 5 as a primary outcome
  • Anxiety, PTSD and OCD6 studies, 3 as a primary outcome
  • Dementia and Alzheimer's5 studies, 1 as a primary outcome
  • Cardiovascular disease5 studies, 0 as a primary outcome
  • Mild cognitive impairment4 studies, 1 as a primary outcome
  • Sleep and sleep disorders4 studies, 2 as a primary outcome
  • Multiple sclerosis3 studies, 1 as a primary outcome
  • Obesity and diabetes3 studies, 0 as a primary outcome
  • Stroke2 studies, 1 as a primary outcome
  • Aging, frailty and exercise2 studies, 0 as a primary outcome

Phases

Participants

Lead sponsor: industry 10, NIH 1, other 176. Interventional 142, observational 45.

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
NCT07908147Start2027PhaseEarly phase 1ConditionsCancerParticipants12Lead sponsorOtherStatusNot yet recruitingLibrary tests named
  • Trail Making TestSecondary5 years
  • Verbal LearningSecondary5 years
  • Verbal FluencySecondary5 years
  • Digit Span TestSecondary5 years
NCT07867886Start2026PhaseNot applicableConditionsCancerParticipants30Lead sponsorIndustryStatusNot yet recruitingLibrary tests named
  • Trail Making TestSecondary6 months
  • Verbal LearningSecondary6 months
  • Verbal FluencySecondary6 months
NCT07755839Start2026PhaseNot applicableConditionsDepression and bipolar disorder, Cancer, Anxiety, PTSD and OCDParticipants60Lead sponsorOtherStatusNot yet recruitingLibrary tests named
  • Trail Making TestSecondary6 months
  • Stroop Color-Word TestSecondary6 months
  • Verbal FluencySecondary6 months
  • Digit Span TestSecondary6 months
  • Cancellation TestSecondary6 months
NCT07740317Start2026PhaseObservationalConditionsCancerParticipants50Lead sponsorOtherStatusRecruitingLibrary tests named
  • Trail Making TestSecondary12 months
  • Verbal LearningSecondary12 months
  • Verbal FluencySecondary12 months
  • Digit Span TestPrimary12 months
NCT07729969Start2026PhaseNot applicableConditionsCancerParticipants110Lead sponsorOtherStatusRecruitingLibrary tests named
  • Trail Making TestSecondary12 months
  • Verbal LearningSecondary12 months
  • Verbal FluencySecondary12 months
  • Digit Span TestSecondary12 months
  • Category FluencySecondary12 months
  • Tower PlanningSecondary12 months
  • Symbol Scan TaskSecondary12 months
  • Delayed Match-to-SampleSecondary12 months
  • One-Touch Tower PlanningSecondary12 months
NCT07716800Start2026PhaseObservationalConditionsCancer, Delirium, surgery and intensive careParticipants205Lead sponsorOtherStatusNot yet recruitingLibrary tests named
  • Trail Making TestPrimary12 months
  • Verbal LearningPrimary12 months
  • Verbal FluencyPrimary12 months
NCT07710131Start2026PhaseNot applicableConditionsCancerParticipants36Lead sponsorOtherStatusNot yet recruitingLibrary tests named
  • Trail Making TestPrimary
  • Digit Span TestPrimary
  • Symbol CodingPrimary
  • Word Pair LearningPrimary
NCT07652476Start2026PhaseObservationalConditionsCancerParticipants100Lead sponsorOtherStatusNot yet recruitingLibrary tests named
  • Trail Making TestPrimarysame day
  • Stroop Color-Word TestPrimarysame day
  • Verbal LearningPrimarysame day
  • Verbal FluencyPrimarysame day
  • Digit Span TestPrimarysame day
  • Symbol CodingPrimarysame day
  • Picture Naming TestPrimarysame day
  • Complex Figure Copy and RecallPrimarysame day
  • Corsi Block-Tapping TestPrimarysame day
NCT07638852Start2026PhasePhase 2ConditionsCancerParticipants58Lead sponsorOtherStatusRecruitingLibrary tests named
  • Trail Making TestSecondary2 years
  • Verbal LearningSecondary2 years
  • Verbal FluencySecondary2 years
NCT07633626Start2026PhaseObservationalConditionsDepression and bipolar disorder, CancerParticipants24Lead sponsorOtherStatusRecruitingLibrary tests named
  • Trail Making TestPrimary12 weeks
  • Verbal LearningPrimary12 weeks
  • Verbal FluencyPrimary12 weeks
  • Digit Span TestPrimary12 weeks
  • Symbol CodingPrimary12 weeks
  • Symbol Scan TaskPrimary12 weeks
NCT07587957Start2026PhaseNot applicableConditionsCancerParticipants40Lead sponsorOtherStatusRecruitingLibrary tests named
  • Trail Making TestSecondary4 weeks
  • Verbal LearningOther outcome4 weeks
  • N-Back TaskSecondary4 weeks
  • Continuous Performance TestSecondary4 weeks
  • AX Continuous Performance TestSecondary4 weeks
NCT07470606Start2026PhasePhase 2ConditionsCancerParticipants108Lead sponsorOtherStatusRecruitingLibrary tests named
  • Trail Making TestSecondary11 months
  • Verbal LearningSecondary11 months
  • Verbal FluencySecondary11 months
NCT07463781Start2026PhaseObservationalConditionsCancerParticipants100Lead sponsorOtherStatusNot yet recruitingLibrary tests named
  • Trail Making TestPrimary2 years
  • Verbal LearningPrimary2 years
  • Verbal FluencyPrimary2 years
  • Symbol CodingPrimary2 years
  • Complex Figure Copy and RecallPrimary2 years
NCT07452458Start2026PhasePhase 3ConditionsCancerParticipants398Lead sponsorOtherStatusRecruitingLibrary tests named
  • Trail Making TestPrimary9 months
  • Verbal LearningPrimary9 months
  • Verbal FluencyPrimary9 months
NCT07390045Start2026PhaseNot applicableConditionsCancerParticipants40Lead sponsorOtherStatusRecruitingLibrary tests named
  • Trail Making TestPrimary12 weeks
NCT07383649Start2026PhasePhase 2ConditionsCancerParticipants28Lead sponsorOtherStatusRecruitingLibrary tests named
  • Trail Making TestSecondary2 years
  • Verbal LearningSecondary2 years
  • Verbal FluencySecondary2 years
NCT07357636Start2019PhaseObservationalConditionsCancerParticipants940Lead sponsorOtherStatusRecruitingLibrary tests named
  • Trail Making TestSecondary12 weeks
  • Verbal LearningSecondary12 weeks
NCT07292272Start2026PhaseNot applicableConditionsCancerParticipants180Lead sponsorOtherStatusRecruitingLibrary tests named
  • Trail Making TestOther outcome6 months
  • Verbal FluencyOther outcome6 months
NCT07259434Start2026PhaseNot applicableConditionsCancer, Cardiovascular diseaseParticipants152Lead sponsorOtherStatusNot yet recruitingLibrary tests named
  • Trail Making TestSecondary16 weeks
  • Verbal LearningSecondary16 weeks
  • Verbal FluencySecondary16 weeks
  • Card Sorting Test (Berg)Secondary16 weeks
  • Size Order Memory TestSecondary16 weeks
  • Picture Order Memory TestSecondary16 weeks
NCT07248228Start2026PhasePhase 2ConditionsCancerParticipants90Lead sponsorOtherStatusRecruitingLibrary tests named
  • Trail Making TestPrimarysame day
  • Verbal LearningPrimarysame day
  • Verbal FluencyPrimarysame day
NCT07173101Start2025PhasePhase 2ConditionsCancerParticipants7Lead sponsorOtherStatusStopped earlyLibrary tests named
  • Trail Making TestSecondary8 weeks
  • Stroop Color-Word TestSecondary8 weeks
NCT07160751Start2026PhaseObservationalConditionsCancerParticipants90Lead sponsorOtherStatusRecruitingLibrary tests named
  • Trail Making TestSecondary12 months
  • Verbal LearningSecondary12 months
  • Verbal FluencySecondary12 months
NCT07159854Start2025PhaseNot applicableConditionsCancerParticipants60Lead sponsorOtherStatusNot yet recruitingLibrary tests named
  • Trail Making TestSecondary5 weeks
  • Selective Reminding TaskSecondary5 weeks
  • Delayed Recall ModuleSecondary5 weeks
NCT07132190Start2025PhasePhase 2ConditionsCancerParticipants60Lead sponsorOtherStatusRecruitingLibrary tests named
  • Trail Making TestSecondary12 months
  • Verbal LearningSecondary12 months
NCT07125209Start2026PhaseObservationalConditionsCancerParticipants18Lead sponsorOtherStatusRecruitingLibrary tests named
  • Trail Making TestSecondary10 months
  • Verbal LearningSecondary10 months
  • Verbal FluencySecondary10 months

Page 1 of 8

Questions, answered from the data

How many cancer trials use the Trail Making Test?

187 registered cancer studies on ClinicalTrials.gov name it in an outcome measure, 54 of them in a primary outcome: 25% of the condition's 760 studies with a cognitive outcome, against 14% of all of them. It is the 3rd most named test in cancer trials.

Which tests do cancer trials use with the Trail Making Test?

Verbal Learning (121 studies), Verbal Fluency (119 studies) and the Digit Span Test (52 studies).

How many participants do phase 2 cancer trials that use the Trail Making Test enroll?

Half of the phase 2 studies that name it enroll 69 participants or fewer, and the middle half enroll 43 to 98. 30 of them give a size.

When do cancer trials measure the Trail Making Test?

Half of the primary outcomes that name the Trail Making Test are measured within 6 months of the start, and the middle half from 12 weeks to 12 months. 51 primary outcomes give a duration.

How many completed cancer trials that use the Trail Making Test have reported results?

36 of the 64 completed studies that name it, 56%, have reported results: 20 posted them on ClinicalTrials.gov, 27 have a results paper linked to the registry record, and 11 did both. The other 28 show neither. Of all completed studies with a cognitive outcome, 46% have reported results.

More on the Trail Making Test and cancer

  • Every cognitive test in cancer trials: 760 studies
  • The Trail Making Test in all clinical trials: 2,293 studies

The Trail Making Test in other conditions

  • Dementia and Alzheimer's273
  • Aging, frailty and exercise255
  • Mild cognitive impairment213
  • Depression and bipolar disorder204
  • 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 cancer trials

  • Verbal Learning235
  • Verbal Fluency200
  • Digit Span Test107
  • Stroop Color-Word Test65
  • Symbol Coding58

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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