Automated scoring of a neuropsychological test: the Rey Osterrieth complex figure

The Rey Osterrieth Complex Figure (ROCF) is a widely used neuropsychological test for visual perception and long term visual memory. Many scoring systems are used to quantify the accuracy of the drawings; these are currently implemented by hand in a subjective manner. The paper gives details of the current progress of a novel technique to locate the scoring sections of the most common of these systems (the Osterrieth Scoring System), with the ultimate goal of automating the scoring system. High levels of distortion are possible, making this an extremely difficult task; however location and perceptual grading of the basic geometric features (triangles, rectangles and diamonds) have been most successful. All but one section in the test data was located (99.3% success) and 78% of the perceptual grades calculated were within 5% of grades generated by independent raters. Unary spatial metrics have been implemented to reduce the possible section candidates by an average of 75% without the loss of a single section.