Reliability of online, remote neuropsychological assessment in people with and without subjective cognitive decline.

Online, remote neuropsychological assessment paradigms may offer a cost-effective alternative to in-person assessment for people who experience subjective cognitive decline (SCD). However, it is vital to establish the psychometric properties of such paradigms. The present study (i) evaluates test-re...

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Main Authors: Katie A Peterson, Adrian Leddy, Michael Hornberger
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Public Library of Science (PLoS) 2025-04-01
Series:PLOS Digital Health
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pdig.0000682
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author Katie A Peterson
Adrian Leddy
Michael Hornberger
author_facet Katie A Peterson
Adrian Leddy
Michael Hornberger
author_sort Katie A Peterson
collection DOAJ
description Online, remote neuropsychological assessment paradigms may offer a cost-effective alternative to in-person assessment for people who experience subjective cognitive decline (SCD). However, it is vital to establish the psychometric properties of such paradigms. The present study (i) evaluates test-retest reliability of remote, online neuropsychological tests from the NeurOn software platform in people with and without SCD (Non-SCD) recruited from the general population; and (ii) investigates potential group differences in baseline performance and longitudinal change. Ninety-nine participants (SCD N = 44, Non-SCD N = 55) completed seven tests from the NeurOn battery, covering visual and verbal memory, working memory, attention and psychomotor speed. Sixty-nine participants (SCD N = 34, Non-SCD N = 35) repeated the assessment six (+/- one) months later. SCD was classified using the Cognitive Change Index questionnaire. Test-retest reliability of the NeurOn test outcome measures ranged from poor to good, with the strongest evidence of reliability shown for the Sustained Attention to Response Test and Picture Recognition. The SCD group was significantly older than the Non-SCD group so group differences were investigated using analysis of covariance whilst controlling for the effect of age. SCD scored significantly better than Non-SCD for Digit Span Backwards (maximum sequence length) and Picture Recognition (recall of object position) at baseline. However, these were not significant when using the Bonferroni-adjusted alpha level. There were no differences between SCD and Non-SCD in longitudinal change. The results suggest online, remote neuropsychological assessment is a promising option for assessing and monitoring SCD, however more research is needed to determine the most suitable tests in terms of reliability and sensitivity to SCD.
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spelling doaj-art-a71d05b0d37b45a890de79f7d40f2c192025-08-20T02:26:38ZengPublic Library of Science (PLoS)PLOS Digital Health2767-31702025-04-0144e000068210.1371/journal.pdig.0000682Reliability of online, remote neuropsychological assessment in people with and without subjective cognitive decline.Katie A PetersonAdrian LeddyMichael HornbergerOnline, remote neuropsychological assessment paradigms may offer a cost-effective alternative to in-person assessment for people who experience subjective cognitive decline (SCD). However, it is vital to establish the psychometric properties of such paradigms. The present study (i) evaluates test-retest reliability of remote, online neuropsychological tests from the NeurOn software platform in people with and without SCD (Non-SCD) recruited from the general population; and (ii) investigates potential group differences in baseline performance and longitudinal change. Ninety-nine participants (SCD N = 44, Non-SCD N = 55) completed seven tests from the NeurOn battery, covering visual and verbal memory, working memory, attention and psychomotor speed. Sixty-nine participants (SCD N = 34, Non-SCD N = 35) repeated the assessment six (+/- one) months later. SCD was classified using the Cognitive Change Index questionnaire. Test-retest reliability of the NeurOn test outcome measures ranged from poor to good, with the strongest evidence of reliability shown for the Sustained Attention to Response Test and Picture Recognition. The SCD group was significantly older than the Non-SCD group so group differences were investigated using analysis of covariance whilst controlling for the effect of age. SCD scored significantly better than Non-SCD for Digit Span Backwards (maximum sequence length) and Picture Recognition (recall of object position) at baseline. However, these were not significant when using the Bonferroni-adjusted alpha level. There were no differences between SCD and Non-SCD in longitudinal change. The results suggest online, remote neuropsychological assessment is a promising option for assessing and monitoring SCD, however more research is needed to determine the most suitable tests in terms of reliability and sensitivity to SCD.https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pdig.0000682
spellingShingle Katie A Peterson
Adrian Leddy
Michael Hornberger
Reliability of online, remote neuropsychological assessment in people with and without subjective cognitive decline.
PLOS Digital Health
title Reliability of online, remote neuropsychological assessment in people with and without subjective cognitive decline.
title_full Reliability of online, remote neuropsychological assessment in people with and without subjective cognitive decline.
title_fullStr Reliability of online, remote neuropsychological assessment in people with and without subjective cognitive decline.
title_full_unstemmed Reliability of online, remote neuropsychological assessment in people with and without subjective cognitive decline.
title_short Reliability of online, remote neuropsychological assessment in people with and without subjective cognitive decline.
title_sort reliability of online remote neuropsychological assessment in people with and without subjective cognitive decline
url https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pdig.0000682
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AT michaelhornberger reliabilityofonlineremoteneuropsychologicalassessmentinpeoplewithandwithoutsubjectivecognitivedecline