Integration of computers in cognitive assessment and level of comprehensiveness of frequently used computerized batteries

Adult norms for the decision-making MindPulse Digital Test

We present adult normalized data for MindPulse (MP), a new tool evaluating attentional and executive functioning (AEF) in decision-making. We recruited 722 neurotypical participants (18-80 years), with 149 retested. The MP test includes three tasks: Simple Reaction Time (SRT), Go/No-go, and complex Go/No-go, involving perceptual components, motor responses, and measurements of reaction time (RT) and correctness. We compare responses, evaluating 14 cognitive indices (including new composite indices to describe AEF: Executive Speed and Reaction to Difficulty). We adjust for age/sex effects, introduce a difficulty scale, and consider standard deviations, aberrant times, and Spearman Correlation for speed-accuracy balance. Wilcoxon unpaired rank test is used to assess sex effects, and linear regression is employed to assess the age linear dependency model on the normalized database. The study demonstrated age and sex effects on RTs, in all three subtests, and the ability to correct it for individual results. The test showed excellent validity (Cronbach Alpha for the three subtasks is 92, 87, 95%) and high internal consistency (p < 0.001 for each subtask significantly faster than the more complex subtask) of the MP across the wide age range. Results showed correlation within the three RT parts of the test (p < .001 for each) and the independence of SRT, RD, and ES indices. The Retest effect was lower than intersubject variance, showing consistency over time. This study highlights the MP test's strong validity on a homogeneous, large adult sample. It emphasizes assessing AEF and Reaction to Difficulty dynamically with high sensitivity.

Integrating Technology in Neuropsychological Assessment

Abstract. Although neuropsychological assessments include some measures that are administered, scored, or interpreted using new technologies, most researchers in this area advocate that more technology should be integrated. The current situation in neuropsychological assessment may be conceptualized as triggering a crisis leading to a paradigm shift, as there is some resistance to adopting more technology. In this paper, the context of the present crisis in neuropsychological assessment, the main obstacles, and new developments will be discussed. An example of a new computerized assessment tool, the NIH Toolbox, is highlighted. Also addressed are potential issues: in the assessment with tablets illustrating it with the older adult population and how to ensure the compatibility of data collected through these devices within the framework of the European General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). Recommendations for research, test development, and clinical practice are also provided.

Cogstate Brief Battery: Cognition and the feigning of cognitive impairment in chronic pain

Chronic pain (CP) is often associated with cognitive impairment. The Cogstate Brief Battery (CBB), a computerized assessment battery, has been studied in several neuropsychiatric disorders but not in CP. Since feigning of cognitive impairment is common in CP, the current study aimed to assess the CBB's utility in differentiating CP patients (n = 64) from healthy participants (n = 33), as well as to assess the effect of simulating cognitive impairment by CP patients on performance in the battery. CP outpatients were randomly assigned to one of two groups: (a) Patients performing the CBB to the best of their ability. (b) Patients simulating cognitive impairment. Independent-samples t-tests indicated that three of four CBB tasks successfully differentiated CP patients from matched healthy controls. Additionally, an analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) indicated that CP patients who simulated cognitive impairment performed more poorly in all four CBB tasks, with the detection task having the strongest discrimination capacity. This is the first study to point toward the usefulness and sensitivity of the CBB for assessment of cognition and detection of feigned cognitive impairment in CP. Further studies are required to validate these preliminary findings and assess the CBB's utility in daily clinical practice.

The MemTrax Test Compared to the Montreal Cognitive Assessment Estimation of Mild Cognitive Impairment

Cognitive impairment is a leading cause of dysfunction in the elderly. When mild cognitive impairment (MCI) occurs in elderly, it is frequently a prodromal condition to dementia. The Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) is a commonly used tool to screen for MCI. However, this test requires a face-to-face administration and is composed of an assortment of questions whose responses are added together by the rater to provide a score whose precise meaning has been controversial. This study was designed to evaluate the performance of a computerized memory test (MemTrax), which is an adaptation of a continuous recognition task, with respect to the MoCA. Two outcome measures are generated from the MemTrax test: MemTrax_speed and MemTrax_correct. Subjects were administered the MoCA and the MemTrax test. Based on the results of the MoCA, subjects were divided in two groups of cognitive status: normal cognition (n = 45) and MCI (n = 37). Mean MemTrax scores were significantly lower in the MCI than in the normal cognition group. All MemTrax outcome variables were positively associated with the MoCA. Two methods, computing the average MTX score and linear regression were used to estimate the cutoff values of the MemTrax test to detect MCI. These methods showed that for the outcome MemTrax_speed a score below the range of 0.87 – 91 s^-1 is an indication of MCI, and for the outcome MemTrax_correct a score below the range of 85 – 90% is an indication for MCI.

Validity of a Computerized Cognitive Battery in Children and Adolescents with Neurological Diagnoses

Objective

Little is known about the validity of computerized cognitive batteries, such as CNS Vital Signs (CNSVS), in pediatric patients. The purpose of this study was to examine convergent and divergent validity of the CNSVS in a clinical pediatric sample with neurological diagnoses.

Method

Participants included 123 pediatric patients assessed in a tertiary care setting as part of clinical care. CNSVS (Memory, Psychomotor Speed, Reaction Time, Complex Attention, and Cognitive Flexibility domains, and a Neurocognition Index) and paper-and-pencil neuropsychological measures assessing learning, memory, processing speed, reaction time, attention, and executive functioning were administered.

Results

Most correlations between CNSVS domain scores and neuropsychological measures assessing similar constructs were medium in strength. With the exception of stronger correlations between psychomotor speed tests, correlations between tests of similar constructs were not significantly higher than those between dissimilar constructs.

Conclusions

These results provide support for validity of the CNSVS battery, but also caution that many abilities are inter-correlated.

Optimizing Cognitive Function in Persons With Chronic Pain

OBJECTIVES

Cognitive functioning is commonly disrupted in people living with chronic pain, yet it is an aspect of pain that is often not routinely assessed in pain management settings, and there is a paucity of research on treatments or strategies to alleviate the problem. The purpose of this review is to outline recent research on cognitive deficits seen in chronic pain, to give an overview of the mechanisms involved, advocate cognitive functioning as an important target for treatment in pain populations, and discuss ways in which it may be assessed and potentially remediated.

METHODS

A narrative review.

RESULTS

There are several options for remediation, including compensatory, restorative, and neuromodulatory approaches to directly modify cognitive functioning, as well as physical, psychological, and medication optimization methods to target secondary factors (mood, sleep, and medications) that may interfere with cognition.

DISCUSSION

We highlight the potential to enhance cognitive functions and identify the major gaps in the research literature.