The Boston Qualitative Scoring System as a measure of executive functioning in Rey-Osterrieth Complex Figure performance.

The Boston Qualitative Scoring System (BQSS) for the Rey-Osterrieth Complex Figure (ROCF) includes five scores (Planning, Fragmentation, Neatness, Perseveration, and Organization) developed to measure the executive aspects of ROCF productions. To assess the convergent and discriminant validity of the BQSS, these five scores were compared to scores on four traditional tests of executive functioning, as well as to three non-executive measures, in 141 adult patients. BQSS executive variables significantly correlated with the traditional executive measures and were less correlated with discriminant measures. The BQSS Organization summary score also significantly differentiated patients with either no, mild, or severe executive dysfunction. These results support the construct validity of the BQSS and demonstrate that the ROCF may be a useful measure of executive functioning.