Frontal assessment battery: A tool for screening minimal hepatic encephalopathy?

Table 1 Frontal assessment battery

Frontal assessment battery

(1) Similarities

In what way are they alike?

(a) A banana and an orange

(b) A table and a chair

(c) A tulip, a rose, and a daisy

3 correct: 3

2 correct: 2

1 correct: 1

None correct: 0

(2) Lexical fluency

Say as many words as you can begin with the letter "S", except for proper nouns

(3) Motor series

Fist, palm, edge (first together, then alone)

6 correct consecutive series alone: 3

At least 3 correct consecutive series alone: 2

3 correct consecutive series with the examiner: 1

Cannot perform 3 correct consecutive series even with the examiner: 0

(4) Conflicting instructions

Tap twice when I tap once

Tap once when I tap twice

No errors: 3

1-2 errors: 2

More than 2 errors: 1

Patient imitates the taps of the examiner at least 4 consecutive times: 0

(5) Go/No Go

Tap once when I tap once

Do not tap when I tap twice

No errors: 3

1-2 errors: 2

More than 2 errors: 1

Patient imitates the taps of the examiner at least 4 consecutive times: 0

(6) Behavior

Do not touch my hands

The patient’s hands should be on his/her knees with the palm up. Without saying anything, the examiner brings his/her own hands close to the patient’s. If the patient touches the examiner’s hands, the examiner says: Now, do not touch my hands. Then, a new attempt begins

Patient does not touch the examiners hands: 3

Patient hesitates and asks what he/she has to do: 2

Patient touches the examiner’s hands without hesitation: 1

Patient touches the examiner’s hands even after he/she was told not to do so: 0