A feasibility study of conducting the Montreal Cognitive Assessment remotely in individuals with movement disorders

Abstract

Remote assessments of individuals with a neurological disease via telemedicine have the potential to reduce some of the burdens associated with clinical care and research participation. We aim to evaluate the feasibility of conducting the Montreal Cognitive Assessment remotely in individuals with movement disorders. A pilot study derived from two telemedicine trials was conducted. In total, 17 individuals with movement disorders (8 with Parkinson disease and 9 with Huntington disease) had Montreal Cognitive Assessment examinations evaluated in-person and remotely via web-based video conferencing to primarily determine feasibility and potential barriers in its remote administration. Administering the Montreal Cognitive Assessment remotely in a sample of movement disorder patients with mild cognitive impairment is feasible, with only minor common complications associated with technology, including delayed sound and corrupted imaging for participants with low connection speeds. The Montreal Cognitive Assessment has the potential to be used in remote assessments of patients and research participants with movement disorders.

Could everyday technology improve access to assessments? A pilot study on the feasibility of screening cognition in people with Parkinson's disease using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment via Internet videoconferencing

“…The results from this study are consistent with the results of the study conducted by Abdolahi et al . (), who also reported that every item in the MoCA could be completed remotely for all participants, and that all participants expressed a positive experience with completing the MoCA remotely. The participants’ predominant feedback was also consistent between studies, with the aforementioned study also reporting acceptability related to convenience factors (including reduced burden on caregivers and less time commuting and waiting in offices).…”

“…Protocols such as asking the client to open the envelope in front of the webcam to verify it was sealed, and explaining the importance of clients completing the assessment independently may be small measures against this limitation. Alternatively, another study prevented this limitation by emailing the sections of the MoCA requiring physical drawing to the participant immediately prior to the videoconference assessment commencing and asking them to print it (Abdolahi et al, 2014). However, this would exclude participants who do not own a printer.…”

“…A recent study has investigated the feasibility of administering the MoCA remotely to people with PD. The study concluded that it was feasible, with minor complications common to technology including corrupted imaging for participants with low connection speeds, and delayed sound (Abdolahi et al, 2014). However, the study design excluded people with PD who did not have printers or high-speed Internet connection, and the remote follow-up was completed seven months after the face-to-face baseline assessment.…”

Feasibility of Virtual Research Visits in Fox Trial Finder

“…The research team then scheduled and completed a test connection visit with the participant, which included performing the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) [ 20 ]. The visuospatial/executive subsection and the naming subsection of this assessment [ 21 ] were emailed to the participants to be printed out prior to the visit. The participants completed these tasks by writing on the printed version, then held the paper up to allow the researchers to take a screen capture.…”

Management of Advanced Therapies in Parkinson's Disease Patients in Times of Humanitarian Crisis: The COVID‐19 Experience

“…52,53 The feasibility of conducting the Montreal Cognitive Assessment remotely in patients with movement disorders has also been proved. 54 Ambulatory movement measurement devices can be mailed to patients prior to telehealth appointments. The results can be readily available prior to the appointment and provide a longitudinal assessment in an ecologically valid setting.…”