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Updated: May 11, 2026
The Multiple Sclerosis Performance Test (MSPT): An iPad-Based Disability Assessment Tool
Published on: June 30, 2014
Assessing the validity of a computer-generated cognitive screening instrument for patients with multiple sclerosis
Helen Lapshin1, Krista L Lanctôt, Paul O'Connor
1Department of Psychiatry, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Canada.
Background:
Neuropsychological testing requires considerable time, expense, and expertise to administer. These factors can limit patient access. Computerized cognitive testing has been proposed as an alternative.
Objectives:
The objective of this paper is to validate a brief, simple-to-use computer-generated cognitive assessment screening battery for multiple sclerosis (MS) patients that has minimal motor involvement.
Methods:
A sample of 96 MS patients and 98 healthy controls completed a computer-generated battery that included the Stroop, Symbol Digit Modalities Test (C-SDMT), a two- and four-second visual analog of the Paced Auditory Serial Addition Test (PVSAT-2, PVSAT-4), and simple and choice reaction time tests. The Minimal Assessment of Cognitive Function in MS was used to define cognitive impairment in the MS sample.
Results:
Each newly developed test successfully distinguished between cognitively impaired patients and healthy controls as well as cognitively intact patients. A combination of three computerized tests (C-SDMT, PVSAT-2, PVSAT-4) with a mean administration time of 10 minutes had a sensitivity of 82.5% and specificity of 87.5% in detecting cognitive impairment. Good test-retest reliability was obtained for each measure.
Conclusions:
Good sensitivity and specificity, brevity, ease of administration, and a limited motor component highlight the feasibility of introducing this computer-generated cognitive screening instrument in a busy MS clinic.
