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NIH Toolbox® for Assessment of Neurological and Behavioral Function

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Adult-and-child-engaged-in-conversation-representing-cognitive-emotional-and-developmental-assessment

NIH Toolbox is a comprehensive set of neurobehavioral measurements that quickly assess emotional, cognitive, sensory, and motor functions

NIH Toolbox includes more than 80 measures for people ages 3 to 85+. HealthMeasures provides information and access to self- and proxy report Emotion measures. NIHToolbox.org provides information and access to the cognitive, sensory, and motor performance-based tests of function.

 

Self- and Parent Report Emotion Measures

NIH Toolbox Emotion measures can be completed by self-report by adults (ages 18+) and pediatrics (ages 8 to 17). Measures can also be completed by parents on behalf of young children (ages 3 to 12).

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Adult Measures

Emotion measures can be completed by adults ages 18+. Measures can be used with people living with a chronic condition and the general population.

View Adult Domains
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Pediatric Measures

Emotion measures can be completed by children and adolescents ages 8 to 17. Measures can be used with people living with a chronic condition and the general population.

View Pediatric Domains
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Parent Report Measures

Emotion measures can be completed by a parent on behalf of a child ages 3 to 12. Measures can be used with people living with a chronic condition and the general population.

View Parent Report Domains

Types of Measures

NIH Toolbox Emotion includes short forms, computer adaptive tests, and batteries. We have many resources to help find the best measure for you.

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Short Forms

  • A fixed set of 4-10 items or questions for one domain.
  • Items are part of a large collection of items (an item bank).
  • Usually generates one score.
  • Also known as fixed forms, static forms, and fixed length short forms.
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Computer Adaptive Tests (CATs)

  • Items from an item bank (a large collection of items) are dynamically selected for administration based on a person’s previous answers.
  • Between 4-8 items administered with a high level of measurement precision (low error).
  • Produces one score.
  • Also known as dynamic forms.
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Batteries

  • Fixed set of measures.
  • Can be completed in about 30 minutes.
  • Available within NIH Toolbox iPad app.
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NIH Toolbox Emotion measures are available in Spanish and many other languages

NIH Toolbox measures have been translated into multiple languages using rigorous methods.

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NIH Toolbox Emotion measures can be implemented for digital and paper administration

NIH Toolbox Emotion measures are integrated into multiple digital administration platforms and can be integrated into other administration platforms via the Assessment Center API.

NIH Toolbox performance tests for cognitive, motor, and sensory function are only available in the NIH Toolbox iPad app. Visit the NIH Toolbox website to learn more about licensing and administering these performance tests.

 

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NIH Toolbox Emotion scores have meaning

NIH Toolbox Emotion measures use T-scores with a mean (average) of 50 and standard deviation of 10. This is the mean for the U.S. general population.

Applications for NIH Toolbox Emotion Measures

NIH Toolbox Emotion measures can be used for screening, monitoring, and more.

Screen

NIH Toolbox Emotion measures can be used to screen for symptoms or functional problems.

Monitor

NIH Toolbox Emotion measures can be used to evaluate how a person’s health is changing over time. This includes monitoring a single patient receiving care and monitoring a group of participants in a study.

NIH Toolbox Advantages

NIH Toolbox Emotion measures offer unique advantages in measurement precision and efficiency. Learn more about these and other advantages at Why NIH Toolbox?

Rigorous Measure Development

NIH Toolbox Emotion measures are unique in how they were developed.

  • Initially funded in 2006 by the National Institutes of Health’s Blueprint for Neuroscience
  • Aimed for measures to be applicable across a wide range of individuals
  • Involved teams from multiple research institutions
  • Integrated patient perspectives throughout measure development
  • Used qualitative and quantitative methods
  • Used methods to facilitate translatability
  • Fully normed data for ages 3 to 85+
  • Complementary with PROMIS and other HealthMeasures

Learn more about NIH Toolbox Measure Development.

NIH Toolbox Performance-Based Tests of Function

NIH Toolbox includes performance-based tests that are administered via an iPad app.

Cognition

  • Mental processes involved in gaining knowledge and comprehension, such as thinking, knowing, remembering, judging, and problem-solving.
  • Higher-level brain functions.
  • Encompass language, imagination, perceptions, and the planning and execution of complex behaviors.
View Cognition Tests

Motor

  • Complex physiological processes.
  • Requires the integration of multiple systems, including neuromuscular, musculoskeletal, cardiopulmonary, neural motor, and sensory-perceptual systems.
  • Includes voluntary control of both fine and gross motor functions, including dexterity, strength, balance, locomotion, and endurance.
View Motor Tests

Sensation

  • Biochemical and neurologic process of detecting incoming nerve impulses as nervous system activity.
  • Sensory processes are vital to one’s level of independence in relationships with others, academic and occupational endeavors, and activities of daily living.
View Sensation Tests

Last updated: September 14, 2026