![]() How Does the Digit Symbol Substitution Test Work? This means that answering the question "What does the DSST measure?" is not so simple! The fact is, the digit symbol substitution test measures a combination of factors at any one time, but this has actually proven to be a strength of the DSST. Impairment in any of these functions, therefore, can be measured by the DSST but it is not specific to any one cognitive operation. There are many such examples like the above we could use to illustrate the fact that the DSST will not always be measuring only working memory, cognitive functioning, or even motor function- but rather, the combination of all of these cognitive operations at a given time. Although the volunteers will have different scores, the lower score for the injured volunteer does not indicate cognitive impairment, but rather- the difference in fine motor function between volunteers. Both volunteers have identical cognitive performance in this case, however, because one volunteer has a slower writing speed due to a previous hand injury, she scores lower than the other volunteer who experiences no difficulty writing down the answers. To understand the polyfactorial nature of what the DSST measures, consider two volunteers completing the test. While we can't provide the pen- Carepatron has got you covered for the DSST template with our free Digit symbol substitution test PDF download. The DSST is a fast and simple test to conduct, and all you will need is a timer, a pen, and a copy of the DSST template. Now, the DSST is one of the most commonly administered cognitive tests. Although initially just one small part of a larger neuropsychological test, the DSST soon took on a life of its own due to its simplicity and sensitivity to a range of factors. The DSST began its life as part of the Wechsler-Bellevue Intelligence Scale (Weschler, 1939), which later became the widely used Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (WAIS ), now in its fourth edition (Weschler, 2008). ![]() ![]() The action of matching the correct symbol to the digits, and then copying out the corresponding symbol by hand, involves several cognitive operations such as processing speed, working memory, complex, attention, fine motor function, and oculomotor functions (Jaeger, 2018) and the DSST serves as a polyfactorial measure of these cognitive functions. In a nutshell, the DSST involves the patient matching as many symbols to the correct digits as they can in 120 seconds. The Digit Symbol Substitution Test (DSST) is a simple test that can measure a range of factors impacting cognitive functioning. What is the Digit Symbol Substitution Test?
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