Cluttering Severity Instrument

Note (4/28/2024): The CSI software is not longer being updated. If it does not work on your system, we currently have no ability to help you. 

Version 1, 2011, reissued in 2017

Software developed by Klaas Bakker, Missouri State University and Florence Myers, Adelphi University

About the Cluttering Severity Instrument (CSI):

The Cluttering Severity Instrument (CSI) is the first formal instrument for assessing cluttering severity. Cluttering severity estimates is useful for research, in clinical practice during initial assessments, and later in therapy to determine treatment progress, or termination. A more thorough description of the program, and instructions for how to work with it are provided in a manual, which at this time is available only in English and Spanish.

The website server used by the ICA appears to be blocking posting of new zipped files containing software which made it necessary for us to adjust the software and develop a new method for sharing the software with you (explained below). The software also had to be revised to be compatible with all configurations of Windows 10.

How to download and install the Windows 10 compatible CSI software?

The updated version of the CSI software is available in English, Spanish, and French and soon also in Portuguese. At this time, a manual is available only in English and Spanish. Cluttering samples are available only in USA- and UK-English. From now on, the CSI software is downloaded in the form of a socalled “installer package” (a *.msi file). The links for obtaining the program are found below. After downloading your file, in order to start the installation process click on the file name that you downloaded. Installing the program will in some cases trigger a warning that looks like:

This warning is posted because the software was not developed by a publisher but by us (Klaas Bakker and Florence Myers). The only guaranteed safe method for obtaining the CSI software is through the download links on the CSI website. The program has been created by us on behalf of the International Cluttering Association as a volunteer contribution. Installation is started by clicking on the “Run” button and following the instructions on your screen. Installation will appear similar like installing a program from a Setup CD.

Note: In the unlikely event that installation was only partially successful, and the CSI needs to be reinstalled, make sure to first uninstall previous versions through the Windows Control Panel.

Currently, the program is available for download in English, French, and Spanish. 

The Instruction Manual is available in English and Spanish 

Note for the Spanish version of the Instruction Manual: Descargar la versión en Español (traducida por Laura Busto Marolt, Argentina) No se encuentran disponibles en este momento muestras de entrenamiento en español. Por favor contactar a Klaas Bakker si cuenta con muestras en español que pudiesen ofrecerse on line para ser utilizadas como entrenamiento. 

Note for French speaking users: Remarque: en ce moment il n'y a pas de version française du manuel d'instructions. Il est recommandé d'utiliser la version anglaise ou espagnole si possible.

Training Samples

UK training samples are available here.

Disclaimer and program information:

Disclaimer: the CSI software, and code, are available to anyone as freeware without any restrictions. Code is available upon request from Klaas Bakker. The authors, and the ICA, cannot in any way be held responsible for anyone using the Cluttering Severity Instrument.

Permission is hereby granted, free of charge, to any person obtaining a copy of this software and associated documentation files (the "Software", manual and training samples), to use or share the software with others.

Note:  the CSI software is available only in PC format, and was developed using the C# programming language (and using DirectSound drivers for the player). The code is shareware as well, and so anyone with Mac or IPad programming experience is strongly encouraged, on a volunteer basis, to help translate the CSI for those platforms, which would help more potential users and members of the ICA benefit from this product.

without restriction, including without limitation the rights to use, copy, modify, merge, publish, distribute, sublicense, and/or sell copies of the Software (plus manual and training samples), and to permit persons to whom the Software is furnished to do so, subject to the following conditions.

The software is provided “as is”, without warranty of any kind, express or implied, including but not limited to the warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose and non-infringement. In no event shall the authors be liable for any claim, damages or other liability, whether in an action of contract, tort or otherwise, arising from, out of or in connection with the software and test materials or the use or other dealings in the software and test materials.