Measuring Cognitive Function In-Person and Remotely in Round 4 of the National Social Life, Health, and Aging Project

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Cognitive Science
• Survey Methodology

Background:

• The National Social Life, Health, and Aging Project (NSHAP) is a longitudinal study examining social, health, and aging factors.
• Round 4 of NSHAP (2021-2023) involved a transition to remote data collection alongside in-person methods.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe modifications to NSHAP's cognitive assessment battery for remote data collection.
• To identify changes in cognitive measures across different administration modes in NSHAP Round 4.

Main Methods:

• Evaluated existing cognitive measures (Montreal Cognitive Assessment, MoCA-SA) for remote administration suitability.
• Introduced new cognitive items from the Rush Alzheimer's Disease Center's (RADC) battery to replace non-remote-adaptable items.
• Administered cognitive data through multiple modes: in-person, web, phone, and paper-and-pencil.

Main Results:

• Some cognitive items from Rounds 2 and 3 were removed for remote modes.
• Rush Alzheimer's Disease Center (RADC) global cognition battery items were added as substitutes in remote and in-person modes.
• The number of cognitive items varied across the four administration modes in Round 4.

Conclusions:

• Significant changes in the cognitive measure composition occurred across NSHAP's Round 4 data collection modes.
• Researchers must account for these alterations and potential mode effects when analyzing NSHAP Round 4 cognitive data.
• The study highlights the complexities of adapting cognitive assessments for multi-modal, remote data collection in aging research.