The Bender-Gestalt Test: A Systematic Review

Area of Science:

• Neuropsychology
• Cognitive Psychology
• Clinical Psychology

Background:

• The Bender-Gestalt test (Bender test) is a widely utilized tool for evaluating visuomotor functions, perception, and cognitive processes.
• Its application extends beyond its primary purpose into various other clinical contexts.

Purpose of the Study:

• To systematically review the utilization of the Bender test and its revised version, the Bender-II, between 2013 and 2023.
• To synthesize findings on the Bender test's diagnostic utility, particularly in neurodegenerative disorders.

Main Methods:

• A systematic literature search was conducted in Medline, Embase, and SciELO databases.
• Inclusion and exclusion criteria were applied, followed by title, abstract, and full-text review.
• Meta-analysis was not feasible due to heterogeneity in study results.

Main Results:

• Twenty-five studies met the inclusion criteria, highlighting the Bender test's utility in diagnosing dementia and Alzheimer's disease.
• The test effectively assesses visuomotor functions and visual perception, though sensitivity and specificity show mixed results.
• Key findings include early detection of cognitive impairment in Alzheimer's disease and a correlation between test performance and neuropsychological status.

Conclusions:

• The Bender test is valuable in diverse clinical populations, especially for neurodegenerative disorders.
• Limitations include subjectivity in result interpretation and score variability influenced by cultural factors and age.
• Further research may be needed to standardize interpretation and enhance objective scoring methods.