Supervised, Self-Administered Tablet-Based Cognitive Assessment in Neurodegenerative Disorders and Stroke

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Gerontology
• Digital Health

Background:

• Cognitive impairment prevalence is rising with an aging population.
• The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the need for remote assessment tools.
• Traditional neuropsychological testing is resource-intensive and requires in-person administration.

Purpose of the Study:

• To validate a tablet-based neurocognitive platform (Miro application) against traditional neuropsychological tests.
• To assess the efficacy of remote cognitive testing in identifying cognitive deficits in neurological disorders.
• To evaluate participant acceptability and preference for tablet-based versus traditional testing.

Main Methods:

• Seventy-nine patients with neurological disorders were randomized to either tablet or paper-and-pencil testing first.
• Twenty-nine age-matched healthy controls completed tablet-based assessments.
• Pearson correlations and t-tests were used to compare test results and differentiate between groups.

Main Results:

• Strong to moderate correlations (r > 0.3) were found between 16 of 17 tablet-based modules and their traditional equivalents.
• Most tablet-based subtests successfully differentiated between healthy controls and patients with neurological impairment.
• Participants found the tablet-based testing enjoyable, non-anxiety-provoking, with no modality preference.

Conclusions:

• The Miro tablet-based application is a valid and acceptable tool for remote cognitive assessment.
• This digital platform can effectively differentiate individuals with neurocognitive deficits from healthy controls.
• Remote, self-administered cognitive assessments show promise for clinical use in neurological disorders.