Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 8, 2026
The Multiple Sclerosis Performance Test (MSPT): An iPad-Based Disability Assessment Tool
Published on: June 30, 2014
The practice effect of smartphone-derived cognitive processing speed assessments as a proxy of cognitive functioning
Daan J de Jong1,2,3,4, Pam C G Molenaar5,6, Vera Verhoef5,6
1MS Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam UMC Location Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Anatomy & Neurosciences, De Boelelaan 1117, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. d.j.dejong@amsterdamumc.nl.
Background:
In multiple sclerosis (MS), symbol digit modalities test (SDMT) scores are often influenced by practice effects. We evaluated the SDMT practice effect as a proxy of cognitive performance by relating it to disease severity and future performance.
Methods:
People with MS (pwMS) and healthy controls (HCs) were evaluated at baseline and five-year follow-up. Practice effects were modeled using two-part piecewise linear regression on daily smartphone SDMT (sSDMT) scores. Cognitive impairment (CI) and preservation (CP) were defined relative to HC baseline sSDMT z-scores (CI: z < -1.67, CP: z ≥ -1.67). Practice outcomes across HC/CP/CI were compared using ANCOVA and correlated to baseline variables. They were also assessed in relation to clinical outcomes and brain volumes in cross-sectional and baseline-follow-up models.
Results:
85 pwMS (CP/CI: 66/19) and 20 HCs were analyzed. 73 pwMS completed follow-up (5.39 ± 0.38y). A practice plateau occurred in 80%/82%/100% of HC/CI/CP. Higher baseline sSDMT was related to higher plateau sSDMT (ρ = 0.930, p < 0.001) and lower %-increase (ρ = -0.266, p = 0.013). %-increase was higher in CI than CP (CI/CP = 22.0%/15.5 adj.p = 0.004), but the absolute ∆-increase and breakpoint were similar across groups. Associations of disability, cognition, and brain volumes with the plateau sSDMT were stronger when compared to the baseline sSDMT. No other associations were found cross-sectionally and in the baseline-follow-up models.
Conclusions:
Early-phase sSDMT practice effects were related to cognitive performance but were unique to disease status or associated with disease severity in pwMS. Plateau sSDMT showed stronger associations with disability and brain volumes than baseline performance. Interpretation of SDMT performance should therefore consider practice effects.
