ConductCognition
  • Domains

    Tests

    • Processing speed43
    • Attention113
    • Working memory50
    • Executive function143
    • Episodic memory72
    • Response inhibition9
    • Social cognition75
    • Language42

    Most used

    Evidence

    1. Verbal Fluency TestGradeA
    2. Stroop Color-Word TestGradeA
    3. Trail Making TestGradeA
    4. N-Back TaskGradeA
    5. Go/No-Go TaskGradeA
    6. Digit Span TestGradeA
    7. Symbol Coding TestGradeA
    8. Verbal Learning TestGradeA
    REDTry it nowStroop Color-Word Test
    All 547 tests

    Browse by

    • Phone290
    • Tablet323
    • Untimed326
    • Up to 5 minutes69
    • Evidence grade A40
  • First studies

    Grade, length

    • Reaction Time StudyGradeA7 min
    • Pilot ScreeningGradeA15 min
    • Medication StudiesGradeA−26 min
    • Language-Minimized ScreeningGradeA−30 min

    Age groups

    • Older Adult Executive SpeedGradeA20 min
    • School-AgeGradeA−33 min

    Memory

    • At-Home MemoryGradeA26 min
    • Working Memory and LearningGradeA−19 min
    • Associative MemoryGradeB32 min
    • Working Memory CapacityGradeB34 min

    Language and perception

    • LanguageGradeA−33 min
    • Visual PerceptionGradeB27 min
    • Listening and Auditory ProcessingGradeB31 min

    Executive function and attention

    • Executive ControlGradeA18 min
    • Attention and ImpulsivityGradeA−26 min
    • Visual AttentionGradeB27 min
    • Creativity and Flexible ThinkingGradeB30 min
    • Reasoning and SpatialGradeB32 min

    Movement

    • Motor and AttentionGradeA−29 min
    • Motor LearningGradeB34 min

    Behavior, mood and choice

    • Food Choice and Self-ControlGradeA−29 min
    • Sleep and FatigueGradeB23 min
    • Social CognitionGradeB23 min
    • Impulsivity and Substance UseGradeB26 min
    • Emotion and MoodGradeB28 min
    • Decisions and RewardGradeB29 min
    All 26 batteries

    Find one

    Up to 15 minutes2Up to 30 minutes19Phone8
    Test order labBattery gradesHow batteries work
  • Use and evidence

    • Overview
    • Compare all 547 tests
    • Test-retest
    • Reliability and validity
    • Battery grades26
    • Download and cite

    Clinical trials

    • Overview
    • By condition25
    • By test101
    • Trial design benchmark
    • Cognitive outcomes, 2026

    Conditions

    Registered studies

    • Dementia and Alzheimer's1,673
    • Aging, frailty and exercise1,398
    • Depression and bipolar disorder1,247
    • Stroke1,233
    • Substance use and addiction895
    • Parkinson's disease892
    • Cancer760
    All 25 conditions
    16,361Registered studies name a cognitive test in an outcome measure11,688 name a test you can run hereExplore the studies
  • 1

    Build

    • Study design
    • Customize tests
    • Repeat visits
    • Study cost calculator
    2

    Recruit

    • Recruitment setup
    • Prolific
    • Sona Systems
    • CloudResearch Connect
    • Qualtrics
    3

    Run

    • Remote testing
    • Participant devices
    • Phone timing check
    • Offline edition
    4

    Results

    • Automated scoring
    • Test norms
    • Study Quality Monitor
    • Data export
    Platform overview

    Compliance

    • HIPAA-ready testing
    • US clinical research
    • Data Policy
    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms of Use
  • Research areas

    Tests used in each

    • Aging and dementia188
    • Decisions and reward105
    • Child development and education87
    • Language and bilingualism64
    • Social behavior62
    • Psychiatric groups35
    • Training and intervention28
    • Mood, anxiety and trauma25
    • Substance use and impulsivity25
    • Neurological and movement research19
    • Brain injury and concussion14
    • Sleep and fatigue14
    • ADHD11
    • Eating and obesity8
    • Medication and drug trials8

    Research settings

    • Student participant pools
    • Teaching a class
    • Clinical trials
    • US clinical research
    • Sites without internet
    Planning a study?
  • Methods

    • How evidence grades work
    • How test batteries work
    • How test order works
    Methods and questions

    Help

    • FAQ
    • Recruitment guides
    • Compare platforms

    Updates

    • Blog
    • New tests by email
    Latest post10 November 2026What you can do in ConductCognition todayA short tour of ConductCognition as it stands on 10 November. After this, we'll post when something changes how you run a study.Read the post
  • Pricing
Start Free
Log In
Log InStart Free
  1. Home
  2. /Data
  3. /Clinical trials
  4. /Tests
  5. /Design Fluency Test

Clinical trials data

Design Fluency Test in clinical trials: 45 registered studies

Every registered study on ClinicalTrials.gov that names the Design Fluency Test in an outcome measure: the conditions it is used in, how often it is a primary outcome, the tests it is named with, and how large the studies are.

Registered studies name it in an outcome measure
45
Name it in a primary outcome, 27%
12 of 45
Against similar tests
Of studies started 2021 to 2025 name it, against 0.2% in 2016 to 2020
0.2%
By year
Median participants per study
80
By phase
Try the Design Fluency Test

The conditions it is used in

Each study counted once in each condition group it falls in.
  1. Brain injury and concussion7 studies, 2 as a primary outcome

  2. Anxiety, PTSD and OCD7 studies, 1 as a primary outcome

  3. Stroke6 studies, 0 as a primary outcome

  4. Cognitive impairment and decline3 studies, 0 as a primary outcome

  5. Cardiovascular disease3 studies, 1 as a primary outcome

  6. Multiple sclerosis2 studies, 0 as a primary outcome

  7. Depression and bipolar disorder2 studies, 1 as a primary outcome

  8. Cancer2 studies, 1 as a primary outcome

  9. Aging, frailty and exercise2 studies, 0 as a primary outcome

  10. Epilepsy2 studies, 1 as a primary outcome

  11. Dementia and Alzheimer's1 study, 0 as a primary outcome

  12. Mild cognitive impairment1 study, 1 as a primary outcome

  13. ADHD1 study, 1 as a primary outcome

  14. Obesity and diabetes1 study, 0 as a primary outcome

  15. Substance use and addiction1 study, 0 as a primary outcome

  16. Sleep and sleep disorders1 study, 1 as a primary outcome

  17. Other conditions8 studies, 2 as a primary outcome

A test as a primary outcomeOnly in secondary or other outcomes

How often it is a primary outcome

The Design Fluency Test is a primary outcome in 27% of its studies. Across the 30 executive function tests with a page here, the median is 37%.
  1. Cue Reactivity Task56% of 188 studies

  2. Stroop Color-Word Test41% of 1,929 studies

  3. Tower Planning40% of 247 studies

  4. Task Switching Test40% of 334 studies

  5. Dimensional Change Card Sort38% of 214 studies

  6. Verbal Fluency37% of 1,745 studies

  7. Delay Discounting36% of 257 studies

  8. Clock Drawing Task35% of 281 studies

  9. Matrix Reasoning35% of 272 studies

  10. Card Sorting Test (Berg)34% of 411 studies

  11. Trail Making Test31% of 2,293 studies

  12. Design Fluency Test27% of 45 studies

  13. AX Continuous Performance Test17% of 191 studies

Studies by start year

0.2% of the registered studies that started in 2021 to 2025 name it, against 0.2% of those that started in 2016 to 2020. 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: 0 studies, 0 with a test as a primary outcome2009: 2 studies, 0 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: 3 studies, 2 with a test as a primary outcome2013: 2 studies, 1 with a test as a primary outcome2014: 2 studies, 0 with a test as a primary outcome2015: 3 studies, 0 with a test as a primary outcome20152016: 3 studies, 1 with a test as a primary outcome2017: 3 studies, 2 with a test as a primary outcome2018: 1 studies, 0 with a test as a primary outcome2019: 1 studies, 1 with a test as a primary outcome2020: 3 studies, 2 with a test as a primary outcome20202021: 1 studies, 0 with a test as a primary outcome2022: 4 studies, 0 with a test as a primary outcome2023: 5 studies, 1 with a test as a primary outcome2024: 3 studies, 1 with a test as a primary outcome2025: 4 studies, 1 with a test as a primary outcome20252026: 3 studies, 0 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
200800
200920
201000
201110
201232
201321
201420
201530
201631
201732
201810
201911
202032
202110
202240
202351
202431
202541
202630

Phases and study sizes

By phase

  • Early phase 11 studies, 0 as a primary outcome
  • Phase 22 studies, 0 as a primary outcome
  • Phase 2/31 studies, 0 as a primary outcome
  • Phase 41 studies, 0 as a primary outcome
  • Not applicable31 studies, 9 as a primary outcome
  • Observational9 studies, 3 as a primary outcome

Participants per study

102050100
  • Not applicable76 median, 45 to 128
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 study that names the Design Fluency Test, by phase
PhaseStudies with a sizeMedianMiddle half
Not applicable297645 to 128

When trials measure it

Half of the primary outcomes that name the Design Fluency Test are measured within 9 weeks of the start, and the middle half from 1 week to 13 weeks. 10 primary outcomes give a duration.

Latest time point of each outcome

  • Within a day5 outcomes, 2 as a primary outcome
  • Up to 4 weeks5 outcomes, 2 as a primary outcome
  • 1 to 3 months14 outcomes, 4 as a primary outcome
  • 3 to 6 months11 outcomes, 2 as a primary outcome
  • 6 to 12 months3 outcomes, 0 as a primary outcome
  • 1 to 2 years1 outcomes, 0 as a primary outcome
  • Over 2 years2 outcomes, 0 as a primary outcome
  • No duration given4 outcomes, 2 as a primary outcome

A test as a primary outcomeOnly in secondary or other outcomes

41 of the 45 outcome measures give a duration. A single visit counts as within a day.

Status, results, interventions and countries

Status

  • Recruiting12 studies, 1 as a primary outcome
  • Not yet recruiting1 studies, 0 as a primary outcome
  • Active, not recruiting1 studies, 0 as a primary outcome
  • Completed18 studies, 6 as a primary outcome
  • Stopped early4 studies, 1 as a primary outcome
  • Status unknown9 studies, 4 as a primary outcome

What they test

  • Behavioral19 studies, 6 as a primary outcome
  • Drug3 studies, 0 as a primary outcome
  • Device7 studies, 0 as a primary outcome
  • Dietary supplement1 studies, 1 as a primary outcome
  • Diagnostic test3 studies, 1 as a primary outcome
  • Radiation1 studies, 0 as a primary outcome
  • Other10 studies, 3 as a primary outcome
  • None given3 studies, 2 as a primary outcome

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

Where their sites are

  • United States14 studies, 3 as a primary outcome
  • Switzerland7 studies, 0 as a primary outcome
  • Canada4 studies, 2 as a primary outcome
  • Italy4 studies, 1 as a primary outcome
  • Denmark3 studies, 1 as a primary outcome
  • Israel2 studies, 0 as a primary outcome
  • Sweden2 studies, 1 as a primary outcome
  • Brazil1 studies, 0 as a primary outcome
  • Finland1 studies, 0 as a primary outcome
  • France1 studies, 0 as a primary outcome
  • Hong Kong1 studies, 1 as a primary outcome
  • Norway1 studies, 1 as a primary outcome

14 countries in all. A study with sites in several counts in each; 2 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 studies that name the Design Fluency Test: 10 of 18, 56%

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

Completed studies that name the Design Fluency Test and every completed study, by how they reported results
ResultsCompleted studies that name the Design Fluency TestEvery completed study
Results on ClinicalTrials.gov and a paper0, 0%776, 10%
Results on ClinicalTrials.gov only4, 22%1,139, 14%
A results paper only6, 33%1,711, 22%
Neither8, 44%4,327, 54%

Tests named in the same studies

The library tests that studies naming the Design Fluency Test name most often beside it.
  1. 1

    Verbal Fluency26 studies, 4 as a primary outcome

  2. 2

    Trail Making Test18 studies, 4 as a primary outcome

  3. 3

    Stroop Color-Word Test13 studies, 2 as a primary outcome

  4. 4

    Digit Span Test13 studies, 1 as a primary outcome

  5. 5

    Category Fluency9 studies, 2 as a primary outcome

  6. 6

    Symbol Coding6 studies, 2 as a primary outcome

  7. 7

    Go/No-Go Task6 studies, 1 as a primary outcome

  8. 8

    Verbal Learning6 studies, 1 as a primary outcome

  9. 9

    N-Back Task5 studies, 2 as a primary outcome

  10. 10

    Complex Figure Copy and Recall5 studies, 1 as a primary outcome

A test as a primary outcomeOnly in secondary or other outcomes

Compared over time

Studies per start year for the Design Fluency Test and the tests named with it most. Add or remove tests to compare.
Design Fluency Test45 studies, 2000 to 2026
01252502000201020202026
Verbal Fluency1,737 studies, 2000 to 2026
01252502000201020202026
Trail Making Test2,281 studies, 2000 to 2026
01252502000201020202026
Stroop Color-Word Test1,922 studies, 2000 to 2026
01252502000201020202026

The panel's testThe other tests chosenEvery panel has the same scale. 2026 is partly planned starts.

Show as a table
Registered studies per start year that name each test
Start yearDesign Fluency TestVerbal FluencyTrail Making TestStroop Color-Word Test
20000123
20010103
20020335
20030482
200409108
20050191411
200609146
20071222113
20080181715
20092292916
20100293229
20111364731
20123344432
20132586042
20142596664
20153798567
201638510385
201739312279
20181107117103
20191121155119
202039012299
20211131172151
20224123188168
20235147228198
20243130211182
20254167210198
20263133201193

Explore the 45 studies

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

45 studies match. 12 name the Design Fluency Test in a primary outcome. Median size 80 participants. Median time to the primary outcome: 9 weeks.

Loading 45 studies; the filters turn on when they arrive.

By start year
02462000: 0 studies, 0 naming the Design Fluency Test in a primary outcome20002001: 0 studies, 0 naming the Design Fluency Test in a primary outcome2002: 0 studies, 0 naming the Design Fluency Test in a primary outcome2003: 0 studies, 0 naming the Design Fluency Test in a primary outcome2004: 0 studies, 0 naming the Design Fluency Test in a primary outcome2005: 0 studies, 0 naming the Design Fluency Test in a primary outcome20052006: 0 studies, 0 naming the Design Fluency Test in a primary outcome2007: 1 studies, 0 naming the Design Fluency Test in a primary outcome2008: 0 studies, 0 naming the Design Fluency Test in a primary outcome2009: 2 studies, 0 naming the Design Fluency Test in a primary outcome2010: 0 studies, 0 naming the Design Fluency Test in a primary outcome20102011: 1 studies, 0 naming the Design Fluency Test in a primary outcome2012: 3 studies, 2 naming the Design Fluency Test in a primary outcome2013: 2 studies, 1 naming the Design Fluency Test in a primary outcome2014: 2 studies, 0 naming the Design Fluency Test in a primary outcome2015: 3 studies, 0 naming the Design Fluency Test in a primary outcome20152016: 3 studies, 1 naming the Design Fluency Test in a primary outcome2017: 3 studies, 2 naming the Design Fluency Test in a primary outcome2018: 1 studies, 0 naming the Design Fluency Test in a primary outcome2019: 1 studies, 1 naming the Design Fluency Test in a primary outcome2020: 3 studies, 2 naming the Design Fluency Test in a primary outcome20202021: 1 studies, 0 naming the Design Fluency Test in a primary outcome2022: 4 studies, 0 naming the Design Fluency Test in a primary outcome2023: 5 studies, 1 naming the Design Fluency Test in a primary outcome2024: 3 studies, 1 naming the Design Fluency Test in a primary outcome2025: 4 studies, 1 naming the Design Fluency Test in a primary outcome20252026: 3 studies, 0 naming the Design Fluency Test in a primary outcome

2026 is partly planned starts.

Show as a table
Matching studies by start year
Start yearStudiesAs a primary outcome
200000
200100
200200
200300
200400
200500
200600
200710
200800
200920
201000
201110
201232
201321
201420
201530
201631
201732
201810
201911
202032
202110
202240
202351
202431
202541
202630

Library tests named most

  • Design Fluency Test45 studies, 12 as a primary outcome
  • Verbal Fluency26 studies, 4 as a primary outcome
  • Trail Making Test18 studies, 4 as a primary outcome
  • Stroop Color-Word Test13 studies, 2 as a primary outcome
  • Digit Span Test13 studies, 1 as a primary outcome
  • Category Fluency9 studies, 2 as a primary outcome
  • Symbol Coding6 studies, 2 as a primary outcome
  • Go/No-Go Task6 studies, 1 as a primary outcome
  • Verbal Learning6 studies, 1 as a primary outcome
  • N-Back Task5 studies, 2 as a primary outcome

Largest condition groups

Phases

Participants

Lead sponsor: other 45. Interventional 36, observational 9.

As a primary outcomeSecondary or other outcomeThe Design Fluency 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
NCT07792811Start2026PhasePhase 2/3ConditionsStrokeParticipants84Lead sponsorOtherStatusNot yet recruitingLibrary tests named
  • Verbal FluencySecondary14 weeks
  • Digit Span TestSecondary14 weeks
  • Line Bisection TestSecondary14 weeks
  • Design Fluency TestSecondary14 weeks
  • Token Commands TaskSecondary14 weeks
NCT07692958Start2026PhaseNot applicableConditionsCardiovascular diseaseParticipants160Lead sponsorOtherStatusRecruitingLibrary tests named
  • Trail Making TestSecondary6 months
  • Verbal FluencySecondary6 months
  • Digit Span TestSecondary6 months
  • Go/No-Go TaskSecondary6 months
  • Category FluencySecondary6 months
  • Symbol Scan TaskSecondary6 months
  • Balloon RiskSecondary6 months
  • Design Fluency TestSecondary6 months
  • Beads TaskSecondary6 months
NCT07427511Start2026PhaseNot applicableConditionsStrokeParticipants120Lead sponsorOtherStatusRecruitingLibrary tests named
  • Trail Making TestOther outcome15 months
  • Stroop Color-Word TestOther outcome15 months
  • Verbal FluencyOther outcome15 months
  • Digit Span TestOther outcome15 months
  • Go/No-Go TaskOther outcome15 months
  • Category FluencyOther outcome15 months
  • Corsi Block-Tapping TestOther outcome15 months
  • Design Fluency TestOther outcome15 months
NCT07281313Start2025PhaseNot applicableConditionsStrokeParticipants120Lead sponsorOtherStatusRecruitingLibrary tests named
  • Trail Making TestSecondary1 week
  • Stroop Color-Word TestSecondary1 week
  • Verbal FluencySecondary1 week
  • Digit Span TestSecondary1 week
  • Picture Naming TestSecondary1 week
  • Simple Reaction TimeSecondary1 week
  • Design Fluency TestSecondary1 week
NCT07119827Start2025PhaseObservationalConditionsStroke, Brain injury and concussionParticipants250Lead sponsorOtherStatusRecruitingLibrary tests named
  • Stroop Color-Word TestSecondary13 weeks
  • Verbal LearningSecondary13 weeks
  • Verbal FluencySecondary18 months
  • Digit Span TestSecondary13 weeks
  • Category FluencySecondary18 months
  • Complex Figure Copy and RecallSecondary13 weeks
  • Corsi Block-Tapping TestSecondary13 weeks
  • Design Fluency TestSecondary13 weeks
NCT07072104Start2025PhaseNot applicableConditionsOther conditionsParticipants45Lead sponsorOtherStatusRecruitingLibrary tests named
  • Go/No-Go TaskPrimary10 months
  • Vocabulary TestSecondary
  • Design Fluency TestPrimary
NCT06969209Start2025PhaseObservationalConditionsOther conditionsParticipants90Lead sponsorOtherStatusRecruitingLibrary tests named
  • Stroop Color-Word TestSecondary5 years
  • Verbal FluencySecondary5 years
  • N-Back TaskSecondary5 years
  • Matrix ReasoningSecondary5 years
  • Symbol Scan TaskSecondary5 years
  • Design Fluency TestSecondary5 years
NCT06964581Start2023PhaseNot applicableConditionsMultiple sclerosisParticipants60Lead sponsorOtherStatusRecruitingLibrary tests named
  • Trail Making TestSecondary9 weeks
  • Verbal FluencySecondary9 weeks
  • Symbol CodingSecondary9 weeks
  • Go/No-Go TaskSecondary9 weeks
  • Paced Visual Serial Addition TestPrimary9 weeks
  • Design Fluency TestSecondary9 weeks
NCT06820125Start2023PhaseNot applicableConditionsMultiple sclerosisParticipants48Lead sponsorOtherStatusRecruitingLibrary tests named
  • Trail Making TestSecondary9 weeks
  • Stroop Color-Word TestSecondary9 weeks
  • Verbal FluencySecondary9 weeks
  • Symbol CodingPrimary9 weeks
  • N-Back TaskSecondary9 weeks
  • Go/No-Go TaskSecondary9 weeks
  • Category FluencySecondary9 weeks
  • Paced Visual Serial Addition TestSecondary9 weeks
  • Selective Reminding TaskSecondary9 weeks
  • Design Fluency TestSecondary9 weeks
NCT06603727Start2024PhaseNot applicableConditionsCognitive impairment and declineParticipants24Lead sponsorOtherStatusStatus unknownLibrary tests named
  • Stroop Color-Word TestSecondary6 weeks
  • Symbol CodingPrimary6 weeks
  • Design Fluency TestSecondary6 weeks
NCT06407141Start2024PhaseNot applicableConditionsMild cognitive impairmentParticipants100Lead sponsorOtherStatusStatus unknownLibrary tests named
  • Continuous Performance TestPrimary13 weeks
  • Design Fluency TestPrimary13 weeks
  • Letter String Report TaskPrimary13 weeks
NCT06380985Start2024PhaseNot applicableConditionsBrain injury and concussion, Substance use and addictionParticipantsNot givenLead sponsorOtherStatusStopped earlyLibrary tests named
  • Trail Making TestOther outcome4 weeks
  • Design Fluency TestOther outcome4 weeks
NCT05602857Start2023PhaseNot applicableConditionsOther conditionsParticipants108Lead sponsorOtherStatusStatus unknownLibrary tests named
  • N-Back TaskPrimary12 weeks
  • Tower PlanningPrimary12 weeks
  • Design Fluency TestPrimary12 weeks
NCT05456516Start2023PhaseNot applicableConditionsObesity and diabetesParticipants76Lead sponsorOtherStatusCompleted

Results

Library tests named
  • Trail Making TestOther outcomesame day
  • Verbal FluencyOther outcomesame day
  • Card Sorting Test (Berg)Other outcomesame day
  • Eriksen Flanker TaskOther outcomesame day
  • Matrix ReasoningOther outcomesame day
  • Dimensional Change Card SortOther outcomesame day
  • Size Order Memory TestOther outcomesame day
  • Design Fluency TestOther outcomesame day
  • Pavlovian-Instrumental Transfer TaskOther outcome
NCT05254015Start2022PhaseNot applicableConditionsAnxiety, PTSD and OCDParticipants150Lead sponsorOtherStatusRecruitingLibrary tests named
  • Verbal FluencyOther outcome12 months
  • Design Fluency TestOther outcome12 months
NCT05173740Start2022PhasePhase 4ConditionsCardiovascular diseaseParticipants214Lead sponsorOtherStatusRecruitingLibrary tests named
  • Trail Making TestOther outcome4 weeks
  • Verbal FluencyOther outcome4 weeks
  • Symbol CodingOther outcome4 weeks
  • Category FluencyOther outcome4 weeks
  • Complex Figure Copy and RecallOther outcome4 weeks
  • Design Fluency TestOther outcome4 weeks
NCT05169632Start2022PhaseNot applicableConditionsStrokeParticipants32Lead sponsorOtherStatusStatus unknownLibrary tests named
  • Trail Making TestSecondary6 weeks
  • Stroop Color-Word TestPrimary6 weeks
  • Go/No-Go TaskSecondary6 weeks
  • Design Fluency TestSecondary6 weeks
NCT05049356Start2019PhaseObservationalConditionsADHDParticipants218Lead sponsorOtherStatusStatus unknownLibrary tests named
  • Emoji Emotion RecognitionPrimarysame day
  • Design Fluency TestPrimarysame day
NCT04433351Start2022PhaseNot applicableConditionsStrokeParticipants80Lead sponsorOtherStatusRecruitingLibrary tests named
  • Trail Making TestSecondary
  • Verbal FluencySecondary
  • Category FluencySecondary
  • Picture Naming TestSecondary
  • Mental RotationSecondary
  • Design Fluency TestSecondary
NCT04356924Start2023PhaseNot applicableConditionsCognitive impairment and declineParticipants138Lead sponsorOtherStatusRecruitingLibrary tests named
  • Continuous Performance TestSecondary1 week
  • Eriksen Flanker TaskSecondary6 months
  • AX Continuous Performance TestSecondary1 week
  • Design Fluency TestSecondary6 months
NCT04308902Start2020PhaseObservationalConditionsOther conditionsParticipants149Lead sponsorOtherStatusCompleted

Paper

Library tests named
  • Design Fluency TestOther outcome5.5 years
NCT04292093Start2020PhaseNot applicableConditionsEpilepsyParticipants48Lead sponsorOtherStatusStatus unknownLibrary tests named
  • Design Fluency TestPrimarysame day
NCT04152993Start2021PhaseEarly phase 1ConditionsAnxiety, PTSD and OCDParticipants6Lead sponsorOtherStatusStatus unknownLibrary tests named
  • Trail Making TestSecondarysame day
  • Stroop Color-Word TestSecondarysame day
  • Verbal LearningSecondarysame day
  • Verbal FluencySecondarysame day
  • Digit Span TestSecondarysame day
  • Card Sorting Test (Berg)Secondarysame day
  • Complex Figure Copy and RecallSecondarysame day
  • Iowa Gambling LiteSecondarysame day
  • Design Fluency TestSecondarysame day
NCT04111549Start2020PhaseNot applicableConditionsBrain injury and concussionParticipants29Lead sponsorOtherStatusCompletedLibrary tests named
  • Trail Making TestPrimary5 weeks
  • Verbal FluencyPrimary5 weeks
  • Letter-Number Sequencing TaskPrimary5 weeks
  • Design Fluency TestPrimary5 weeks
NCT04087603Start2017PhaseNot applicableConditionsSleep and sleep disordersParticipants52Lead sponsorOtherStatusCompleted

Paper

Library tests named
  • Simple Reaction TimePrimary2 weeks
  • Design Fluency TestPrimary2 weeks

Page 1 of 2

Questions, answered from the data

How many clinical trials use the Design Fluency Test?

45 registered studies on ClinicalTrials.gov name it in an outcome measure, 12 of them in a primary outcome.

In which conditions do trials use the Design Fluency Test?

Most often in brain injury and concussion (7), anxiety, PTSD and OCD (7) and stroke (6).

Do new trials use the Design Fluency Test more or less?

0.2% of the studies that started in 2021 to 2025 name it, against 0.2% of those that started in 2016 to 2020: a share 2% smaller.

Which tests do trials use with the Design Fluency Test?

Verbal Fluency (26 studies), the Trail Making Test (18 studies) and the Stroop Color-Word Test (13 studies).

When do trials measure the Design Fluency Test?

Half of the primary outcomes that name the Design Fluency Test are measured within 9 weeks of the start, and the middle half from 1 week to 13 weeks. 10 primary outcomes give a duration.

How many completed trials that use the Design Fluency Test have reported results?

10 of the 18 completed studies that name it, 56%, have reported results: 4 posted them on ClinicalTrials.gov, 6 have a results paper linked to the registry record, and 0 did both. The other 8 show neither. Of all completed studies with a cognitive outcome, 46% have reported results.

More on tests in clinical trials

  • Design Fluency Test: what it measures, its scores, and a version to try
  • All 101 tests in clinical trials
  • Cognitive tests by condition
  • Every registered study, by test, condition, phase and year

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.

Run the Design Fluency Test in your trial

Choose tests with a record in registered trials, and run them in a browser at every site, on the same version each visit.

Start free
ConductCognition

Hosted browser-native cognitive testing for academic and commercial research workflows.

A product of ConductScience, Inc.

New tests and features, about once a month. Unsubscribe at any time.

Tests

  • All cognitive tests
  • Test batteries
  • Use and evidence
  • Test norms
  • Trail Making Test
  • N-Back Task
  • Automated scoring
  • Study design
  • New tests by email

Guides

  • Methods and questions
  • Blog
  • Recruitment setup
  • Participant devices
  • Prolific
  • Sona Systems
  • CloudResearch Connect
  • Qualtrics

Use cases

  • Student participant pools
  • Aging and dementia research
  • Clinical trials
  • US clinical research
  • Remote testing

Compare and buy

  • Pricing
  • Compare platforms
  • Offline edition
  • FAQ

Trust

  • Study Quality Monitor
  • HIPAA-ready testing
  • Data export
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Data Policy

Company

  • ConductScience
  • Affiliate Program
© 2026 ConductScience, Inc. Research use only.