FSTAC: Linking Function with Cognitive Performance

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Image 1: Screenshot of Bill Pay Subtest
The Functional Standardized Touchscreen Assessment of Cognition (FSTAC) is the first of it's kind in cognitive screening tools.

FSTAC provides 14 functional tasks for a person to complete and then provides a report on functional & cognitive performance.

One of the features that makes FSTAC so valuable is the integration of real life distractions, such as text messages, phone messages and noise. These distractions in the setting of a cognitively complex task provide the perfect setting to assess a person's cognitive abilities and breakdowns.

Clinicians can now observe their clients performing functional tasks that range from simple to complex utilizing current technology.  

Technology can provide greater contextual validity when compared to similar traditional functional measures.  For example, the FSTAC can exactly simulate a phone call with an automated payment system (image 1), which would be difficult to assess with traditional measures.
Purchase information

Cognitive Areas Assessed

  • General Knowledge
  • Functional math
  • Auditory & Visual attention
  • Auditory & Visual Short term memory
  • Working memory
  • Language/Reading
  • Language Auditory Comprehension
  • Visual/Spatial
  • Executive Function (Flexibility, Org, Prob solving)
  • Insight/Awareness of performance

Functional Areas Assessed

  • Money ID/Valuation
  • Medication management
  • Safety
  • Cash management: paying and making change
  • Grocery shopping - Organization, planning
  • Story listen and recall
  • Bill pay over phone
  • Appointment rescheduling
  • Handling normal distractions
  • Recalling tasks to do in a day

Examples of FSTAC Subtests

Medication Management

Functional Task:

Person sorts 3 medications into a pill box.



Cognitive Areas Assessed:
  1. General Knowledge
  2. Safety
  3. Visual/Aud Attention
  4. Language/Reading/Aud Comp
  5. Executive Fxn - Organization

Key Feature:
  1. 3 distractors built in.

Grocery Shopping

Functional Task:

Person given a list of items to obtain at the store. List in random order.
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Cognitive Areas Assessed:
  1. Visual/Aud Memory
  2. Working Memory
  3. Language - Reading/Aud Comp
  4. Visual/Spatial
  5. Executive Function - Organization

Key Features:
  1. Text message to obtain an item not on list.
  2. Prescription pick up at Pharmacy that was cued earlier in test.
  3. Background supermarket Sound

Paying / Making Change

Functional Task:

Person identifies US currency by name and value. Then pays and makes change using available currency on screen.

Cognitive Areas Assessed:
  1. General knowledge
  2. Functional Math
  3. Problem Solving
  4. Mental Flexibility
  5. Visual Attention

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