Frequently asked questions
How Chronic Trace screening works, and how to read what it gives you.
Chronic Trace is a wellness self-tracking tool, not a medical device. It does not diagnose any condition. It looks for changes in your own performance over time that may warrant a closer look by a qualified professional. The answers below explain what that does and does not mean.
The peer-reviewed science behind each measure, with citations, is on the Science & Sources page.
How do you define a “normal” score?
We primarily rely on within-person baseline comparisons, not universal “normal” values. Each person serves as their own control, since cognitive performance varies widely between individuals.
What if someone performs worse because they’re tired, stressed, or sick?
That’s a known limitation. External factors can influence cognitive performance. That’s why interpretation must consider context — sleep, illness, fatigue — and ideally be repeated over time rather than based on a single test.
What can a change in my score actually tell me?
It reflects a change in your own performance over time, not a diagnosis of any condition. A drop from your baseline is a prompt to pay attention — re-check when you are well rested, and follow up with a qualified professional if you have concerns. How meaningful a change is depends on baseline quality and the timing of the check.
Can someone intentionally fake results?
It is possible to manipulate performance in most cognitive tests. However, repeated testing, pattern recognition, and comparison across multiple domains can help identify inconsistent or non-physiological patterns. It should never be the sole measure in decision-making.
How soon after an incident should I re-check?
Performance changes can appear immediately or develop over hours to days, so repeated measurements over time are more informative than a single post-incident check.
Is the test itself safe to take any time?
Yes — it is non-invasive and low risk. It is not a substitute for professional care, though. If you are concerned about your health after an incident, see a qualified professional and do not let a self-check delay that.
Does repeated testing cause learning effects?
Yes, practice effects can occur. That’s why baseline calibration, practice rounds that are excluded from scoring, and longitudinal comparison methods are important to reduce false improvement trends.
How do you account for ADHD, learning differences, or baseline variability?
Baseline-first design helps account for individual differences. Learning differences and other conditions can influence results, so comparisons should always consider the individual and not rely on raw values alone.
Can this tell me I’m ready to return to activity?
No. No single self-tracking tool should decide that. Treat it as one data point among many, and leave activity decisions to you and a qualified professional.
What happens if the app shows a decline from baseline?
It flags a change in performance relative to your own normal. Treat that as a prompt to re-check when rested and, if it persists or concerns you, follow up with a qualified professional — not as a standalone conclusion.
How do you keep this scientifically grounded?
The measures draw on controlled baseline testing, repeated measures, and established cognitive-assessment principles. The science behind each one, with citations, is on the Science & Sources page.
Could this miss something?
Yes. No self-check is perfectly sensitive — subtle changes may not show up. That is exactly why it is a tracking tool, not a diagnosis, and why anything that concerns you should be taken to a qualified professional.
Chronic Trace is not a medical device and is not FDA-cleared for diagnostic use. Nothing on this page is medical advice. Anything that concerns you about your health should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare professional.