Self-Administered Cognitive Testing by Older Adults At-Risk for Cognitive Decline

J Prev Alzheimers Dis. 2020;7(4):283-287. doi: 10.14283/jpad.2020.25.

Abstract

Self-administered computerized cognitive testing could effectively monitor older individuals at-risk for cognitive decline at home. In this study, we tested the feasibility and reliability of 3 tablet-based executive functioning measures and an executive composite score in a sample of 30 older adults (age 80±6) with high multimorbidity. The tests were examiner-administered at baseline and then self-administered by the participants at home across 2 subsequent days. Eight of the participants reported no prior experience with touchscreen technology. Twenty-seven participants completed both self-administered assessments, and 28 completed at least one. Cronbach's alpha (individual tests: .87-.89, composite: .93) and correlations between examiner-administered and self-administered performances (individual tests: .72-.91, composite: .93) were high. The participants who had never used a smartphone or a tablet computer showed comparable consistency. Remote self-administered tablet-based testing in older adults at-risk for cognitive decline is feasible and reliable, even among participants without prior technology experience.

Keywords: Unsupervised cognitive assessment; computerized cognitive assessment; early detection; executive function.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Cognitive Dysfunction / diagnosis*
  • Feasibility Studies
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Mental Status and Dementia Tests*
  • Mobile Applications
  • Reproducibility of Results
  • Self Care*
  • Smartphone