Clinical trials data
Cognitive tests in stroke trials: 1,233 registered studies
Every registered stroke study on ClinicalTrials.gov that names a cognitive test in an outcome measure: the tests used most, how often as a primary outcome, which tests go together, how large the studies are and when they measure the outcome.
- Registered stroke studies name a cognitive test in an outcome
- 1,233
- Led by industry
- 76
The tests stroke trials use most
The Trail Making Test leads: 156 of the 1,233 studies name it, 13%. Next comes Verbal Fluency (110). As a primary outcome, the Picture Naming Test leads with 56 studies.
- 1
Trail Making Test156 studies, 39 as a primary outcome
- 2
Verbal Fluency110 studies, 43 as a primary outcome
- 3
Stroop Color-Word Test105 studies, 29 as a primary outcome
- 4
Digit Span Test100 studies, 30 as a primary outcome
- 5
Picture Naming Test99 studies, 56 as a primary outcome
- 6
Cancellation Test75 studies, 27 as a primary outcome
- 7
Verbal Learning63 studies, 19 as a primary outcome
- 8
Symbol Coding61 studies, 13 as a primary outcome
- 9
Line Bisection Test44 studies, 13 as a primary outcome
- 10
Category Fluency33 studies, 14 as a primary outcome
- 11
N-Back Task22 studies, 13 as a primary outcome
- 12
Clock Drawing Task19 studies, 5 as a primary outcome
- 13
Corsi Block-Tapping Test17 studies, 4 as a primary outcome
- 14
Continuous Performance Test16 studies, 6 as a primary outcome
- 15
Task Switching Test16 studies, 5 as a primary outcome
- 16
Complex Figure Copy and Recall15 studies, 4 as a primary outcome
- 17
Token Commands Task14 studies, 5 as a primary outcome
- 18
Card Sorting Test (Berg)13 studies, 3 as a primary outcome
- 19
Short Story Recall12 studies, 4 as a primary outcome
- 20
Finger Tapping Task12 studies, 3 as a primary outcome
- 21
Go/No-Go Task12 studies, 0 as a primary outcome
- 22
Matrix Reasoning11 studies, 5 as a primary outcome
- 23
Dimensional Change Card Sort10 studies, 3 as a primary outcome
- 24
Field of View Speed Test7 studies, 4 as a primary outcome
- 25
Motor Sequence Task7 studies, 3 as a primary outcome
A test as a primary outcomeOnly in secondary or other outcomes
54% of stroke studies name only instruments outside the library, such as clinician-administered screening scales. They count in every figure on this page and are not listed. The explorer below holds all 97 tests.
Tests used together
- Digit Span Test and Trail Making Test56 studies name both
- Stroop Color-Word Test and Trail Making Test48 studies name both
- Digit Span Test and Stroop Color-Word Test36 studies name both
- Trail Making Test and Verbal Fluency36 studies name both
- Digit Span Test and Verbal Fluency31 studies name both
- Verbal Fluency and Verbal Learning30 studies name both
- Trail Making Test and Verbal Learning29 studies name both
- Digit Span Test and Verbal Learning28 studies name both
- Cancellation Test and Line Bisection Test27 studies name both
- Picture Naming Test and Verbal Fluency26 studies name both
Studies by start year
A test as a primary outcomeOnly in secondary or other outcomes
Show as a table
| Start year | Studies | A test as a primary outcome |
|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 0 | 0 |
| 2001 | 1 | 0 |
| 2002 | 1 | 1 |
| 2003 | 1 | 0 |
| 2004 | 3 | 2 |
| 2005 | 2 | 1 |
| 2006 | 4 | 1 |
| 2007 | 3 | 0 |
| 2008 | 8 | 2 |
| 2009 | 11 | 3 |
| 2010 | 15 | 6 |
| 2011 | 16 | 7 |
| 2012 | 19 | 8 |
| 2013 | 31 | 11 |
| 2014 | 37 | 13 |
| 2015 | 48 | 17 |
| 2016 | 45 | 15 |
| 2017 | 61 | 16 |
| 2018 | 60 | 16 |
| 2019 | 68 | 22 |
| 2020 | 72 | 26 |
| 2021 | 94 | 27 |
| 2022 | 98 | 32 |
| 2023 | 128 | 38 |
| 2024 | 130 | 43 |
| 2025 | 159 | 46 |
| 2026 | 110 | 40 |
Phases and sponsors
By phase
- Early phase 15 studies, 0 as a primary outcome
- Phase 114 studies, 5 as a primary outcome
- Phase 1/219 studies, 2 as a primary outcome
- Phase 277 studies, 20 as a primary outcome
- Phase 2/312 studies, 1 as a primary outcome
- Phase 356 studies, 12 as a primary outcome
- Phase 438 studies, 7 as a primary outcome
- Not applicable789 studies, 280 as a primary outcome
- Observational223 studies, 70 as a primary outcome
Sponsors and study types
Lead sponsor: industry 76, NIH 1, universities, hospitals and others 1,156. Interventional 1,010, observational 223.
Status, results, interventions and countries
Status
- Recruiting277 studies, 81 as a primary outcome
- Not yet recruiting120 studies, 40 as a primary outcome
- Active, not recruiting45 studies, 11 as a primary outcome
- Completed470 studies, 176 as a primary outcome
- Stopped early81 studies, 25 as a primary outcome
- Status unknown240 studies, 64 as a primary outcome
What they test
- Behavioral286 studies, 109 as a primary outcome
- Drug210 studies, 35 as a primary outcome
- Device338 studies, 113 as a primary outcome
- Dietary supplement19 studies, 9 as a primary outcome
- Procedure72 studies, 20 as a primary outcome
- Diagnostic test48 studies, 14 as a primary outcome
- Biological14 studies, 2 as a primary outcome
- Radiation5 studies, 1 as a primary outcome
- Combination product7 studies, 2 as a primary outcome
- Genetic3 studies, 1 as a primary outcome
- Other390 studies, 140 as a primary outcome
- None given84 studies, 29 as a primary outcome
Intervention types as registered. A study can list several; observational studies often list none.
Where their sites are
- United States199 studies, 76 as a primary outcome
- China169 studies, 32 as a primary outcome
- Canada75 studies, 13 as a primary outcome
- Italy66 studies, 22 as a primary outcome
- Türkiye64 studies, 30 as a primary outcome
- France62 studies, 12 as a primary outcome
- United Kingdom57 studies, 9 as a primary outcome
- Taiwan56 studies, 29 as a primary outcome
- Spain52 studies, 13 as a primary outcome
- Germany49 studies, 6 as a primary outcome
- Switzerland49 studies, 4 as a primary outcome
- South Korea44 studies, 10 as a primary outcome
68 countries in all. A study with sites in several counts in each; 92 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 stroke studies: 189 of 470, 40%
Every completed study with a cognitive outcome: 3,626 of 7,953, 46%
| Results | Completed stroke studies | Every completed study |
|---|---|---|
| Results on ClinicalTrials.gov and a paper | 23, 5% | 776, 10% |
| Results on ClinicalTrials.gov only | 39, 8% | 1,139, 14% |
| A results paper only | 127, 27% | 1,711, 22% |
| Neither | 281, 60% | 4,327, 54% |
How many participants they enroll
- Phase 127 median, 20 to 60
- Phase 1/230 median, 24 to 40
- Phase 280 median, 37 to 169
- Phase 2/375 median, 50 to 187
- Phase 3363 median, 178 to 810
- Phase 4200 median, 85 to 440
- Not applicable50 median, 30 to 100
- Observational120 median, 51 to 444
Show as a table
| Phase | Studies with a size | Median | Middle half |
|---|---|---|---|
| Phase 1 | 13 | 27 | 20 to 60 |
| Phase 1/2 | 17 | 30 | 24 to 40 |
| Phase 2 | 75 | 80 | 37 to 169 |
| Phase 2/3 | 12 | 75 | 50 to 187 |
| Phase 3 | 56 | 363 | 178 to 810 |
| Phase 4 | 38 | 200 | 85 to 440 |
| Not applicable | 775 | 50 | 30 to 100 |
| Observational | 222 | 120 | 51 to 444 |
When the cognitive outcome is measured
Latest time point of each outcome
- Within a day144 outcomes, 56 as a primary outcome
- Up to 4 weeks257 outcomes, 109 as a primary outcome
- 1 to 3 months381 outcomes, 117 as a primary outcome
- 3 to 6 months167 outcomes, 60 as a primary outcome
- 6 to 12 months125 outcomes, 35 as a primary outcome
- 1 to 2 years43 outcomes, 6 as a primary outcome
- Over 2 years40 outcomes, 10 as a primary outcome
- No duration given73 outcomes, 23 as a primary outcome
A test as a primary outcomeOnly in secondary or other outcomes
1,157 of the 1,230 outcome measures give a duration. A single visit counts as within a day.
Median time to the primary outcome, by test
| Test | Primary outcomes | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Picture Naming Test | 53 | 6 weeks |
| Verbal Fluency | 41 | 12 weeks |
| Trail Making Test | 39 | 5 weeks |
| Digit Span Test | 29 | 8 weeks |
| Stroop Color-Word Test | 29 | 12 weeks |
| Cancellation Test | 25 | 4 weeks |
| Verbal Learning | 19 | 6 months |
| Category Fluency | 13 | 13 weeks |
| N-Back Task | 12 | 7 weeks |
| Symbol Coding | 12 | 15 weeks |
Explore the stroke studies
564 studies match. 227 name a library test in a primary outcome. Median size 46 participants. Median time to the primary outcome: 8 weeks.
Loading 564 studies; the filters turn on when they arrive.
2026 is partly planned starts. Not shown: 4 planned to start after 2026.
Show as a table
| Start year | Studies | As a primary outcome |
|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 0 | 0 |
| 2001 | 0 | 0 |
| 2002 | 1 | 1 |
| 2003 | 0 | 0 |
| 2004 | 2 | 2 |
| 2005 | 0 | 0 |
| 2006 | 4 | 1 |
| 2007 | 3 | 0 |
| 2008 | 5 | 2 |
| 2009 | 8 | 2 |
| 2010 | 7 | 4 |
| 2011 | 11 | 6 |
| 2012 | 10 | 7 |
| 2013 | 18 | 10 |
| 2014 | 23 | 10 |
| 2015 | 22 | 12 |
| 2016 | 26 | 9 |
| 2017 | 31 | 10 |
| 2018 | 29 | 10 |
| 2019 | 27 | 11 |
| 2020 | 35 | 17 |
| 2021 | 41 | 15 |
| 2022 | 39 | 14 |
| 2023 | 58 | 18 |
| 2024 | 47 | 17 |
| 2025 | 74 | 29 |
| 2026 | 39 | 17 |
Library tests named most
Largest condition groups
Phases
Participants
Lead sponsor: industry 30, NIH 1, other 533. Interventional 489, observational 75.
As a primary outcomeSecondary or other outcome
The studies, newest registration first
Each number opens the study's record on ClinicalTrials.gov.
| Study | Start | Phase | Conditions | Participants | Lead sponsor | Status | Library tests named, with the latest time point |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NCT07887776 | Start2025 | PhaseObservational | ConditionsStroke | Participants66 | Lead sponsorOther | StatusCompleted | Library tests named
|
| NCT07882875 | Start2026 | PhaseObservational | ConditionsStroke, Cardiovascular disease | Participants560 | Lead sponsorOther | StatusNot yet recruiting | Library tests named
|
| NCT07865260 | Start2026 | PhaseNot applicable | ConditionsMild cognitive impairment, Stroke, Parkinson's disease | Participants80 | Lead sponsorOther | StatusNot yet recruiting | Library tests named
|
| NCT07861867 | Start2027 | PhasePhase 2 | ConditionsStroke, Aging, frailty and exercise | Participants60 | Lead sponsorOther | StatusNot yet recruiting | Library tests named
|
| NCT07819266 | Start2026 | PhaseNot applicable | ConditionsStroke | Participants42 | Lead sponsorOther | StatusNot yet recruiting | Library tests named
|
| NCT07817316 | Start2026 | PhaseNot applicable | ConditionsStroke, Brain injury and concussion | Participants30 | Lead sponsorOther | StatusRecruiting | Library tests named
|
| NCT07807176 | Start2026 | PhaseNot applicable | ConditionsStroke | Participants150 | Lead sponsorOther | StatusNot yet recruiting | Library tests named
|
| NCT07792811 | Start2026 | PhasePhase 2/3 | ConditionsStroke | Participants84 | Lead sponsorOther | StatusNot yet recruiting | Library tests named
|
| NCT07772947 | Start2024 | PhaseNot applicable | ConditionsStroke | Participants50 | Lead sponsorOther | StatusCompleted | Library tests named
|
| NCT07759791 | Start2025 | PhaseNot applicable | ConditionsStroke | Participants118 | Lead sponsorOther | StatusRecruiting | Library tests named
|
| NCT07759375 | Start2027 | PhaseNot applicable | ConditionsStroke | Participants48 | Lead sponsorOther | StatusNot yet recruiting | Library tests named
|
| NCT07758257 | Start2025 | PhaseNot applicable | ConditionsStroke | Participants30 | Lead sponsorOther | StatusCompleted | Library tests named
|
| NCT07719387 | Start2025 | PhaseNot applicable | ConditionsStroke | Participants20 | Lead sponsorOther | StatusRecruiting | Library tests named
|
| NCT07698444 | Start2021 | PhaseObservational | ConditionsStroke | Participants106 | Lead sponsorOther | StatusCompleted | Library tests named
|
| NCT07682194 | Start2023 | PhaseNot applicable | ConditionsStroke | Participants28 | Lead sponsorOther | StatusCompleted | Library tests named
|
| NCT07668245 | Start2026 | PhaseNot applicable | ConditionsStroke | Participants46 | Lead sponsorOther | StatusActive, not recruiting | Library tests named
|
| NCT07636538 | Start2026 | PhaseNot applicable | ConditionsMild cognitive impairment, Stroke, Parkinson's disease | Participants30 | Lead sponsorOther | StatusNot yet recruiting | Library tests named
|
| NCT07624630 | Start2026 | PhaseObservational | ConditionsStroke, Aging, frailty and exercise | Participants50 | Lead sponsorOther | StatusRecruiting | Library tests named
|
| NCT07616050 | Start2026 | PhaseNot applicable | ConditionsMild cognitive impairment, Stroke, Parkinson's disease, Multiple sclerosis, Aging, frailty and exercise | Participants70 | Lead sponsorOther | StatusNot yet recruiting | Library tests named
|
| NCT07608588 | Start2026 | PhaseNot applicable | ConditionsStroke | Participants45 | Lead sponsorOther | StatusRecruiting | Library tests named
|
| NCT07589855 | Start2025 | PhaseNot applicable | ConditionsStroke | Participants6 | Lead sponsorOther | StatusRecruiting | Library tests named
|
| NCT07588997 | Start2025 | PhaseNot applicable | ConditionsStroke | Participants18 | Lead sponsorOther | StatusRecruiting | Library tests named
|
| NCT07586566 | Start2026 | PhaseNot applicable | ConditionsStroke, Brain injury and concussion | Participants15 | Lead sponsorOther | StatusNot yet recruiting | Library tests named
|
| NCT07582497 | Start2026 | PhaseNot applicable | ConditionsStroke, Parkinson's disease | Participants60 | Lead sponsorOther | StatusNot yet recruiting | Library tests named
|
| NCT07573501 | Start2026 | PhaseNot applicable | ConditionsStroke | Participants24 | Lead sponsorOther | StatusNot yet recruiting | Library tests named
|
Questions, answered from the data
Which cognitive test do stroke trials use most?
The Trail Making Test: 156 of the 1,233 registered studies name it in an outcome measure, 13%. Next come Verbal Fluency (110) and the Stroop Color-Word Test (105).
Which cognitive test do stroke trials use most as a primary outcome?
The Picture Naming Test, named in a primary outcome by 56 studies. 397 of the 1,233 studies, 32%, name a cognitive test in a primary outcome.
How many participants does a phase 2 stroke trial enroll?
Half of the phase 2 stroke studies enroll 80 participants or fewer, and the middle half enroll 37 to 169. 75 of them give a size.
How long after the start do stroke trials measure a cognitive outcome?
Half of the primary outcomes that name a library test are measured within 8 weeks of the start, and the middle half from 2 weeks to 4 months. 393 primary outcomes give a duration.
Which cognitive tests do stroke trials use together?
The Digit Span Test with the Trail Making Test most often: 56 studies name both. Next, the Stroop Color-Word Test with the Trail Making Test (48).
How many completed stroke trials have reported results?
189 of the 470 completed stroke studies, 40%, have reported results: 62 posted them on ClinicalTrials.gov, 150 have a results paper linked to the registry record, and 23 did both. The other 281 show neither. Of all completed studies with a cognitive outcome, 46% have reported results.
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.
Plan the cognitive outcomes of a stroke trial
Choose tests with a record in registered trials, and run them in a browser at every site, on the same version each visit.