Verbal memory measurement towards digital perspectives in first-episode psychosis: A review

Even in the early phases of psychotic spectrum illnesses such as schizophrenia, patients can experience cognitive decline or deficits prior to the onset of psychotic symptoms such as delusions and hallucinations. In this systematic review, we assessed which verbal memory assessments are most widely used in first-episode psychosis and may be applied via digital technologies (smartphone applications, etc.) for use in early detection.

In November 2019, we searched for studies measuring verbal memory in first episode psychosis or schizophrenia over the past 10 years on PubMed and PsycINFO. We screened abstracts of these studies and excluded review studies. Full-texts of included studies were used to identify the verbal memory measurement tests, follow-up frequencies, and sample sizes.

We screened 233 reports and found that 120 original research studies measured verbal memory in first episode psychosis over the past 10 years. Four of these studies specified using a computer, 24 (20%) used a paper-pen format, 1(1%) used both, and 91 (76%) studies did not specify their administration tools or suggest there were offered in digital formats. Thirty-five (30%) studies had follow-up measurements of verbal memory, while 85 (70%) had only a single verbal memory measurement.

While many scales are commonly used to measure verbal memory in first episode psychosis, they are not often administered via digital technology. There is an emerging opportunity to administer these and other tests via digital technologies for expanding access to early detection of cognitive decline in clinical high risk and first-episode psychosis.