Feasibility and Efficacy of Online Neuropsychological Assessment

Abstract

Neuropsychological testing has intrinsic challenges, including the recruitment of patients and their participation in research projects. To create a method capable of collecting multiple datapoints (across domains and participants) while imposing low demands on the patients, we have developed PONT (Protocol for Online Neuropsychological Testing). Using this platform, we recruited neurotypical controls, individuals with Parkinson’s disease, and individuals with cerebellar ataxia and tested their cognitive status, motor symptoms, emotional well-being, social support, and personality traits. For each domain, we compared each group to previously published values from studies using more traditional methods. The results show that online testing using PONT is feasible, efficient, and produces results that are in line with results obtained from in-person testing. As such, we envision PONT as a promising bridge to more comprehensive, generalizable, and valid neuropsychological testing.

Remote assessment of cognition in Parkinson’s disease and Cerebellar Ataxia: the MoCA test in English and Hebrew

“…The challenges of traditional in-person methods have led to the rise of online methods in behavioral studies. Research shows that remote testing, including video telehealth approaches, is as reliable and valid as in-person testing ( Casler et al, 2013 ; Chandler and Shapiro, 2016 ; Buhrmester et al, 2018 ; Bilder et al, 2020 ; Geddes et al, 2020 ; Marra et al, 2020 ; Saban and Ivry, 2021 ; Binoy et al, 2023 ).…”

Online cognitive testing in Parkinson’s disease: advantages and challenges

“…Thus, studies on PD can benefit from recruitment of rural populations ( 53 ). In contrast, online testing can greatly increase geographical diversity, streamlining multi-center studies and data collection across nations ( 28 , 45 , 46 ). This allows for the inclusion of rare subtypes of PD, such as genetic variants or early-onset PD, as well as inclusion of populations rarely reached from developing countries.…”

“…Online testing protocols could be useful in characterizing multiple cognitive and psychological capacities ( 28 ). Since PD has a multifactorial effect on nonmotor domains, ranging from emotional well-being to cognition ( 75–79 ), online studies can measure multiple domains, allowing for better characterization of PD and the disease progression over time.…”

“…Since PD has a multifactorial effect on nonmotor domains, ranging from emotional well-being to cognition ( 75–79 ), online studies can measure multiple domains, allowing for better characterization of PD and the disease progression over time. Online cognitive testing also facilitates between-group comparison ( 28 , 31 ), which can improve sensitivity and specificity of assessment tools. However, although online protocols may be adapted for several domains of study, it may not be suitable for all domains.…”

“…PONT enabled researchers to conduct 15 cognitive experiments on PD and control groups, recruiting over 1,500 participants over the course of 3 years. Another recent study utilized the PONT protocol to recruit and test individuals with PD and healthy controls across multiple domains, including cognitive status, emotional well-being, social support, and personality traits ( 28 ). The study demonstrated the feasibility and efficiency of utilizing VC and automated online testing to assess multiple nonmotor capacities, producing results comparable to those obtained from F2F testing.…”