What does the Trail Making Test-B assess in patients?

The Trail Making Test-B is designed primarily to assess the speed of processing and executive functions. This test requires individuals to connect a sequence of numbers and letters in an alternating pattern (e.g., 1-A-2-B-3-C, etc.), which involves not only visual scanning and tracking but also mental flexibility, attention, and task-switching capabilities.

Scoring for the Trail Making Test-B indicates how quickly and efficiently a person can switch between cognitive tasks, providing valuable insights into higher-level cognitive processes often affected in neurological conditions, including stroke.

Other options, such as assessing visual memory, physical strength and coordination, or core stability, do not accurately reflect the primary objectives of the Trail Making Test-B; these areas may involve different assessments tailored to specific functions rather than the executive function skills targeted by this test.