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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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Clinical trials data

Symbol Scan Task in clinical trials: 129 registered studies

Every registered study on ClinicalTrials.gov that names the Symbol Scan Task 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
129
Name it in a primary outcome, 42%
54 of 129
Against similar tests
Of studies started 2021 to 2025 name it, against 0.8% in 2016 to 2020
0.6%
By year
Median participants per study
72
By phase
Try the Symbol Scan Task

The conditions it is used in

Each study counted once in each condition group it falls in.
  1. Brain injury and concussion24 studies, 8 as a primary outcome

  2. Cancer13 studies, 4 as a primary outcome

  3. ADHD9 studies, 3 as a primary outcome

  4. Depression and bipolar disorder7 studies, 3 as a primary outcome

  5. Aging, frailty and exercise7 studies, 3 as a primary outcome

  6. Dementia and Alzheimer's6 studies, 1 as a primary outcome

  7. Parkinson's disease6 studies, 2 as a primary outcome

  8. Cognitive impairment and decline6 studies, 4 as a primary outcome

  9. Substance use and addiction6 studies, 2 as a primary outcome

  10. Anxiety, PTSD and OCD6 studies, 4 as a primary outcome

  11. Obesity and diabetes5 studies, 2 as a primary outcome

  12. Mild cognitive impairment4 studies, 2 as a primary outcome

  13. Schizophrenia and psychosis4 studies, 2 as a primary outcome

  14. Cardiovascular disease4 studies, 2 as a primary outcome

  15. Epilepsy4 studies, 1 as a primary outcome

  16. Stroke3 studies, 1 as a primary outcome

  17. Pain and fatigue3 studies, 0 as a primary outcome

  18. Sleep and sleep disorders2 studies, 1 as a primary outcome

  19. COVID-19 and long COVID2 studies, 0 as a primary outcome

  20. Delirium, surgery and intensive care2 studies, 2 as a primary outcome

  21. Multiple sclerosis1 study, 1 as a primary outcome

  22. Healthy volunteers1 study, 0 as a primary outcome

  23. Hearing loss1 study, 0 as a primary outcome

  24. Lung disease1 study, 1 as a primary outcome

  25. Other conditions26 studies, 17 as a primary outcome

A test as a primary outcomeOnly in secondary or other outcomes

How often it is a primary outcome

The Symbol Scan Task is a primary outcome in 42% of its studies. Across the 11 processing speed tests with a page here, the median is 42%.
  1. Motor Sequence Task53% of 30 studies

  2. Serial Reaction Time48% of 27 studies

  3. Arithmetic Fluency Task47% of 101 studies

  4. Mirror Tracing Task43% of 23 studies

  5. Symbol Scan Task42% of 129 studies

  6. Paced Visual Serial Addition Test42% of 337 studies

  7. Simple Reaction Time40% of 210 studies

  8. Finger Tapping Task38% of 144 studies

  9. Pattern and Letter Comparison35% of 147 studies

  10. Symbol Coding31% of 1,457 studies

  11. Trail Making Test31% of 2,293 studies

Studies by start year

0.6% of the registered studies that started in 2021 to 2025 name it, against 0.8% 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: 1 studies, 1 with a test as a primary outcome2003: 2 studies, 1 with a test as a primary outcome2004: 1 studies, 1 with a test as a primary outcome2005: 1 studies, 1 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: 4 studies, 1 with a test as a primary outcome2010: 2 studies, 0 with a test as a primary outcome20102011: 3 studies, 2 with a test as a primary outcome2012: 3 studies, 3 with a test as a primary outcome2013: 5 studies, 1 with a test as a primary outcome2014: 6 studies, 3 with a test as a primary outcome2015: 5 studies, 5 with a test as a primary outcome20152016: 9 studies, 3 with a test as a primary outcome2017: 3 studies, 0 with a test as a primary outcome2018: 7 studies, 3 with a test as a primary outcome2019: 11 studies, 4 with a test as a primary outcome2020: 7 studies, 2 with a test as a primary outcome20202021: 1 studies, 1 with a test as a primary outcome2022: 9 studies, 4 with a test as a primary outcome2023: 16 studies, 9 with a test as a primary outcome2024: 3 studies, 1 with a test as a primary outcome2025: 13 studies, 4 with a test as a primary outcome20252026: 10 studies, 2 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
200211
200321
200411
200511
200600
200710
200811
200941
201020
201132
201233
201351
201463
201555
201693
201730
201873
2019114
202072
202111
202294
2023169
202431
2025134
2026102

Phases and study sizes

By phase

  • Early phase 11 studies, 1 as a primary outcome
  • Phase 15 studies, 1 as a primary outcome
  • Phase 1/23 studies, 1 as a primary outcome
  • Phase 213 studies, 5 as a primary outcome
  • Phase 2/31 studies, 0 as a primary outcome
  • Phase 36 studies, 1 as a primary outcome
  • Phase 47 studies, 4 as a primary outcome
  • Not applicable74 studies, 28 as a primary outcome
  • Observational19 studies, 13 as a primary outcome

Participants per study

102050100200
  • Phase 242 median, 30 to 60
  • Not applicable68 median, 30 to 130
  • Observational130 median, 67 to 218
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 Symbol Scan Task, by phase
PhaseStudies with a sizeMedianMiddle half
Phase 2134230 to 60
Not applicable746830 to 130
Observational1913067 to 218

When trials measure it

Half of the primary outcomes that name the Symbol Scan Task are measured within 13 weeks of the start, and the middle half from 4 weeks to 8 months. 51 primary outcomes give a duration.

Latest time point of each outcome

  • Within a day14 outcomes, 5 as a primary outcome
  • Up to 4 weeks19 outcomes, 9 as a primary outcome
  • 1 to 3 months39 outcomes, 18 as a primary outcome
  • 3 to 6 months18 outcomes, 4 as a primary outcome
  • 6 to 12 months17 outcomes, 10 as a primary outcome
  • 1 to 2 years5 outcomes, 2 as a primary outcome
  • Over 2 years8 outcomes, 3 as a primary outcome
  • No duration given9 outcomes, 3 as a primary outcome

A test as a primary outcomeOnly in secondary or other outcomes

120 of the 129 outcome measures give a duration. A single visit counts as within a day.

Status, results, interventions and countries

Status

  • Recruiting29 studies, 10 as a primary outcome
  • Not yet recruiting6 studies, 1 as a primary outcome
  • Active, not recruiting6 studies, 3 as a primary outcome
  • Completed64 studies, 31 as a primary outcome
  • Stopped early12 studies, 5 as a primary outcome
  • Status unknown12 studies, 4 as a primary outcome

What they test

  • Behavioral30 studies, 11 as a primary outcome
  • Drug31 studies, 12 as a primary outcome
  • Device13 studies, 5 as a primary outcome
  • Dietary supplement3 studies, 2 as a primary outcome
  • Procedure10 studies, 3 as a primary outcome
  • Diagnostic test5 studies, 2 as a primary outcome
  • Biological3 studies, 1 as a primary outcome
  • Radiation1 studies, 0 as a primary outcome
  • Other36 studies, 14 as a primary outcome
  • None given12 studies, 7 as a primary outcome

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

Where their sites are

  • United States65 studies, 29 as a primary outcome
  • Canada9 studies, 2 as a primary outcome
  • Portugal9 studies, 4 as a primary outcome
  • Spain9 studies, 4 as a primary outcome
  • Brazil3 studies, 1 as a primary outcome
  • France3 studies, 0 as a primary outcome
  • Italy3 studies, 2 as a primary outcome
  • Puerto Rico3 studies, 1 as a primary outcome
  • Switzerland3 studies, 0 as a primary outcome
  • Australia2 studies, 0 as a primary outcome
  • Colombia2 studies, 2 as a primary outcome
  • Egypt2 studies, 2 as a primary outcome

32 countries in all. A study with sites in several counts in each; 7 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 Symbol Scan Task: 38 of 64, 59%

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

Completed studies that name the Symbol Scan Task and every completed study, by how they reported results
ResultsCompleted studies that name the Symbol Scan TaskEvery completed study
Results on ClinicalTrials.gov and a paper5, 8%776, 10%
Results on ClinicalTrials.gov only15, 23%1,139, 14%
A results paper only18, 28%1,711, 22%
Neither26, 41%4,327, 54%

Tests named in the same studies

The library tests that studies naming the Symbol Scan Task name most often beside it.
  1. 1

    Digit Span Test60 studies, 25 as a primary outcome

  2. 2

    Verbal Learning55 studies, 31 as a primary outcome

  3. 3

    Trail Making Test49 studies, 25 as a primary outcome

  4. 4

    Verbal Fluency43 studies, 21 as a primary outcome

  5. 5

    Stroop Color-Word Test24 studies, 13 as a primary outcome

  6. 6

    Letter-Number Sequencing Task23 studies, 11 as a primary outcome

  7. 7

    Category Fluency18 studies, 9 as a primary outcome

  8. 8

    Symbol Coding16 studies, 7 as a primary outcome

  9. 9

    Matrix Reasoning15 studies, 7 as a primary outcome

  10. 10

    Continuous Performance Test14 studies, 6 as a primary outcome

A test as a primary outcomeOnly in secondary or other outcomes

Compared over time

Studies per start year for the Symbol Scan Task and the tests named with it most. Add or remove tests to compare.
Symbol Scan Task124 studies, 2000 to 2026
01252502000201020202026
Digit Span Test1,619 studies, 2000 to 2026
01252502000201020202026
Verbal Learning1,819 studies, 2000 to 2026
01252502000201020202026
Trail Making Test2,281 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 yearSymbol Scan TaskDigit Span TestVerbal LearningTrail Making Test
20000312
20010250
20021183
200324148
2004141410
2005171714
2006041314
20071142221
20081192817
20094222829
20102374232
20113263347
20123364244
20135445360
20146498266
20155799185
201696998103
2017382107122
201878592117
201911110122155
202079076122
20211122137172
20229121138188
202316164157228
20243141144211
202513147132210
202610137123201

Explore the 129 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 Symbol Scan Task

129 studies match. 54 name the Symbol Scan Task in a primary outcome. Median size 72 participants. Median time to the primary outcome: 13 weeks.

Loading 129 studies; the filters turn on when they arrive.

By start year
051015202000: 0 studies, 0 naming the Symbol Scan Task in a primary outcome20002001: 0 studies, 0 naming the Symbol Scan Task in a primary outcome2002: 1 studies, 1 naming the Symbol Scan Task in a primary outcome2003: 2 studies, 1 naming the Symbol Scan Task in a primary outcome2004: 1 studies, 1 naming the Symbol Scan Task in a primary outcome2005: 1 studies, 1 naming the Symbol Scan Task in a primary outcome20052006: 0 studies, 0 naming the Symbol Scan Task in a primary outcome2007: 1 studies, 0 naming the Symbol Scan Task in a primary outcome2008: 1 studies, 1 naming the Symbol Scan Task in a primary outcome2009: 4 studies, 1 naming the Symbol Scan Task in a primary outcome2010: 2 studies, 0 naming the Symbol Scan Task in a primary outcome20102011: 3 studies, 2 naming the Symbol Scan Task in a primary outcome2012: 3 studies, 3 naming the Symbol Scan Task in a primary outcome2013: 5 studies, 1 naming the Symbol Scan Task in a primary outcome2014: 6 studies, 3 naming the Symbol Scan Task in a primary outcome2015: 5 studies, 5 naming the Symbol Scan Task in a primary outcome20152016: 9 studies, 3 naming the Symbol Scan Task in a primary outcome2017: 3 studies, 0 naming the Symbol Scan Task in a primary outcome2018: 7 studies, 3 naming the Symbol Scan Task in a primary outcome2019: 11 studies, 4 naming the Symbol Scan Task in a primary outcome2020: 7 studies, 2 naming the Symbol Scan Task in a primary outcome20202021: 1 studies, 1 naming the Symbol Scan Task in a primary outcome2022: 9 studies, 4 naming the Symbol Scan Task in a primary outcome2023: 16 studies, 9 naming the Symbol Scan Task in a primary outcome2024: 3 studies, 1 naming the Symbol Scan Task in a primary outcome2025: 13 studies, 4 naming the Symbol Scan Task in a primary outcome20252026: 10 studies, 2 naming the Symbol Scan Task in a primary outcome

2026 is partly planned starts. Not shown: 1 that started before 2000 and 4 planned to start after 2026.

Show as a table
Matching studies by start year
Start yearStudiesAs a primary outcome
200000
200100
200211
200321
200411
200511
200600
200710
200811
200941
201020
201132
201233
201351
201463
201555
201693
201730
201873
2019114
202072
202111
202294
2023169
202431
2025134
2026102

Library tests named most

  • Symbol Scan Task129 studies, 54 as a primary outcome
  • Digit Span Test60 studies, 25 as a primary outcome
  • Verbal Learning55 studies, 31 as a primary outcome
  • Trail Making Test49 studies, 25 as a primary outcome
  • Verbal Fluency43 studies, 21 as a primary outcome
  • Stroop Color-Word Test24 studies, 13 as a primary outcome
  • Letter-Number Sequencing Task23 studies, 11 as a primary outcome
  • Category Fluency18 studies, 9 as a primary outcome
  • Symbol Coding16 studies, 7 as a primary outcome
  • Matrix Reasoning15 studies, 7 as a primary outcome

Largest condition groups

Phases

Participants

Lead sponsor: industry 10, NIH 2, other 117. Interventional 110, observational 19.

As a primary outcomeSecondary or other outcomeThe Symbol Scan Task

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
NCT07890623Start2027PhaseNot applicableConditionsOther conditionsParticipants150Lead sponsorOtherStatusNot yet recruitingLibrary tests named
  • Symbol Scan TaskSecondary6 weeks
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
NCT07714096Start2027PhaseNot applicableConditionsObesity and diabetes, Cardiovascular diseaseParticipants56Lead sponsorOtherStatusNot yet recruitingLibrary tests named
  • Symbol Scan TaskSecondary12 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
NCT07677345Start2027PhaseNot applicableConditionsOther conditionsParticipants20Lead sponsorOtherStatusNot yet recruitingLibrary tests named
  • Symbol Scan TaskSecondarysame day
NCT07672977Start2025PhaseNot applicableConditionsDementia and Alzheimer's, Mild cognitive impairmentParticipants30Lead sponsorIndustryStatusRecruitingLibrary tests named
  • Verbal LearningOther outcome7 months
  • Digit Span TestOther outcome7 months
  • Short Story RecallOther outcome7 months
  • Symbol Scan TaskOther outcome7 months
  • Word Pair LearningOther outcome7 months
NCT07652788Start2026PhaseNot applicableConditionsADHDParticipants40Lead sponsorOtherStatusNot yet recruitingLibrary tests named
  • Digit Span TestSecondary6 weeks
  • Symbol Scan TaskSecondary6 weeks
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
NCT07593677Start2026PhaseNot applicableConditionsAging, frailty and exerciseParticipants150Lead sponsorOtherStatusRecruitingLibrary tests named
  • Symbol Scan TaskSecondary6 months
  • Implicit Association Test (IAT)Secondary6 months
  • Brief Implicit Association TestSecondary6 months
NCT07523048Start2025PhasePhase 2ConditionsDepression and bipolar disorderParticipants30Lead sponsorOtherStatusRecruitingLibrary tests named
  • Trail Making TestSecondary2 weeks
  • Symbol CodingSecondary2 weeks
  • Symbol Scan TaskSecondary2 weeks
  • Implicit Association Test (IAT)Secondary2 weeks
  • Effort for Rewards TaskPrimary2 weeks
  • Effort Discounting TaskSecondary2 weeks
NCT07478458Start2025PhaseNot applicableConditionsADHDParticipants120Lead sponsorOtherStatusRecruitingLibrary tests named
  • Stroop Color-Word TestSecondary13 weeks
  • Digit Span TestSecondarysame day
  • Matrix ReasoningSecondarysame day
  • Letter-Number Sequencing TaskSecondarysame day
  • Symbol Scan TaskSecondarysame day
NCT07447401Start2027PhaseNot applicableConditionsAging, frailty and exerciseParticipants160Lead sponsorOtherStatusNot yet recruitingLibrary tests named
  • Symbol Scan TaskSecondary6 months
NCT07429903Start2023PhaseNot applicableConditionsCOVID-19 and long COVID, Pain and fatigueParticipants31Lead sponsorOtherStatusCompletedLibrary tests named
  • Trail Making TestSecondary12 weeks
  • Symbol Scan TaskSecondary12 weeks
NCT07311967Start2026PhaseNot applicableConditionsOther conditionsParticipants15Lead sponsorOtherStatusNot yet recruitingLibrary tests named
  • Verbal LearningPrimarysame day
  • Symbol Scan TaskPrimarysame day
NCT07262658Start2022PhaseObservationalConditionsParkinson's diseaseParticipants40Lead sponsorOtherStatusCompletedLibrary tests named
  • Trail Making TestPrimarysame day
  • Verbal LearningPrimarysame day
  • Verbal FluencyPrimarysame day
  • Category FluencyPrimarysame day
  • Card Sorting Test (Berg)Primarysame day
  • Paced Visual Serial Addition TestPrimarysame day
  • Symbol Scan TaskPrimarysame day
NCT07203339Start2025PhaseNot applicableConditionsPain and fatigueParticipants610Lead sponsorOtherStatusRecruitingLibrary tests named
  • Trail Making TestSecondary8 weeks
  • Digit Span TestSecondary8 weeks
  • Stop-Signal TaskSecondary8 weeks
  • Symbol Scan TaskSecondary8 weeks
NCT07164768Start2024PhaseObservationalConditionsObesity and diabetesParticipants400Lead sponsorOtherStatusRecruitingLibrary tests named
  • Stroop Color-Word TestPrimary3 years
  • Verbal LearningPrimary3 years
  • Verbal FluencyPrimary3 years
  • Digit Span TestPrimary3 years
  • Category FluencyPrimary3 years
  • Card Sorting Test (Berg)Primary3 years
  • Matrix ReasoningPrimary3 years
  • Cancellation TestPrimary3 years
  • Simple Reaction TimePrimary3 years
  • Letter-Number Sequencing TaskPrimary3 years
  • Finger Tapping TaskPrimary3 years
  • Symbol Scan TaskPrimary3 years
  • Token Commands TaskPrimary3 years
NCT07139210Start2025PhaseNot applicableConditionsADHDParticipants30Lead sponsorOtherStatusActive, not recruitingLibrary tests named
  • Digit Span TestPrimary13 weeks
  • Matrix ReasoningPrimary13 weeks
  • Letter-Number Sequencing TaskPrimary13 weeks
  • Symbol Scan TaskPrimary13 weeks
NCT07112521Start2025PhaseNot applicableConditionsCancer, Obesity and diabetesParticipants40Lead sponsorOtherStatusRecruitingLibrary tests named
  • Symbol Scan TaskPrimary6 weeks
NCT07061626Start2026PhasePhase 1ConditionsCancerParticipants56Lead sponsorIndustryStatusRecruitingLibrary tests named
  • Verbal LearningSecondary12 months
  • Digit Span TestSecondary12 months
  • Short Story RecallSecondary12 months
  • Symbol Scan TaskSecondary12 months
NCT07018986Start2025PhaseNot applicableConditionsCancerParticipants200Lead sponsorOtherStatusRecruitingLibrary tests named
  • Symbol Scan TaskSecondary13 weeks
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
NCT06922071Start2025PhaseNot applicableConditionsDementia and Alzheimer'sParticipants100Lead sponsorOtherStatusRecruitingLibrary tests named
  • Verbal FluencyPrimary13 weeks
  • Symbol Scan TaskPrimary13 weeks
NCT06902753Start2025PhaseNot applicableConditionsDementia and Alzheimer's, Hearing lossParticipants120Lead sponsorOtherStatusStopped earlyLibrary tests named
  • Complex Figure Copy and RecallSecondary
  • Matrix ReasoningSecondary
  • Symbol Scan TaskSecondary
NCT06733181Start2023PhaseNot applicableConditionsDementia and Alzheimer's, Aging, frailty and exerciseParticipants25Lead sponsorOtherStatusCompletedLibrary tests named
  • Verbal FluencySecondary1 week
  • Symbol Scan TaskSecondary1 week

Page 1 of 6

Questions, answered from the data

How many clinical trials use the Symbol Scan Task?

129 registered studies on ClinicalTrials.gov name it in an outcome measure, 54 of them in a primary outcome.

In which conditions do trials use the Symbol Scan Task?

Most often in brain injury and concussion (24), cancer (13) and ADHD (9).

Do new trials use the Symbol Scan Task more or less?

0.6% of the studies that started in 2021 to 2025 name it, against 0.8% of those that started in 2016 to 2020: a share 28% smaller.

Which tests do trials use with the Symbol Scan Task?

The Digit Span Test (60 studies), Verbal Learning (55 studies) and the Trail Making Test (49 studies).

How many participants do phase 2 trials that use the Symbol Scan Task enroll?

Half of the phase 2 studies that name it enroll 42 participants or fewer, and the middle half enroll 30 to 60. 13 of them give a size.

When do trials measure the Symbol Scan Task?

Half of the primary outcomes that name the Symbol Scan Task are measured within 13 weeks of the start, and the middle half from 4 weeks to 8 months. 51 primary outcomes give a duration.

How many completed trials that use the Symbol Scan Task have reported results?

38 of the 64 completed studies that name it, 59%, have reported results: 20 posted them on ClinicalTrials.gov, 23 have a results paper linked to the registry record, and 5 did both. The other 26 show neither. Of all completed studies with a cognitive outcome, 46% have reported results.

More on tests in clinical trials

  • Symbol Scan Task: 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.

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