Nathaniel DeYoung1, Brian V Shenal1,2. 1. 1 Center for Neurocognitive Services, Salem Veteran Affairs Medical Center, USA. 2. 2 Department of Psychology, Roanoke College, USA.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Telehealth neuropsychological services can increase the availability of specialised care for individuals in rural areas where barriers to these services are faced. As this practice becomes more commonplace, the reliability and validity of neuropsychological assessment administered by telehealth continues to be established. The Montreal Cognitive Assessment, a screener for general neurocognitive dysfunction, may be particularly useful since this measure can be given by telehealth with minimal adaptation. METHODS: Veterans from a rural area of the country who were referred to an outpatient neuropsychology clinic were administered the Montreal Cognitive Assessment either in-person or by telehealth by a clinician. A second clinician observed the administration in-person or by telehealth and independently scored the each participant's performance. The inter-rater reliabilities across conditions were compared to assess for differences between in-person and telehealth consultations. RESULTS: The inter-rater reliability of the Montreal Cognitive Assessment across the three conditions of interest was acceptably high and values ranged from r = 0.88 to r = 0.98. Reliability correlations were compared and no significant differences among the conditions were observed ( p's > 0.10). Beyond reliability, univariate comparison of the absolute mean differences of clinician scores showed no significant differences among the actual raw scores of the three conditions tested, indicating good accuracy ( p = 0.56). CONCLUSIONS: The inter-rater reliabilities of Montreal Cognitive Assessment scores across conditions were all acceptably high, and administration of the Montreal Cognitive Assessment using telehealth technology did not significantly alter the total scores. Overall, the lack of significant differences suggests that administering the Montreal Cognitive Assessment by telehealth is reliable, accurate and well received by participants.
BACKGROUND: Telehealth neuropsychological services can increase the availability of specialised care for individuals in rural areas where barriers to these services are faced. As this practice becomes more commonplace, the reliability and validity of neuropsychological assessment administered by telehealth continues to be established. The Montreal Cognitive Assessment, a screener for general neurocognitive dysfunction, may be particularly useful since this measure can be given by telehealth with minimal adaptation. METHODS: Veterans from a rural area of the country who were referred to an outpatient neuropsychology clinic were administered the Montreal Cognitive Assessment either in-person or by telehealth by a clinician. A second clinician observed the administration in-person or by telehealth and independently scored the each participant's performance. The inter-rater reliabilities across conditions were compared to assess for differences between in-person and telehealth consultations. RESULTS: The inter-rater reliability of the Montreal Cognitive Assessment across the three conditions of interest was acceptably high and values ranged from r = 0.88 to r = 0.98. Reliability correlations were compared and no significant differences among the conditions were observed ( p's > 0.10). Beyond reliability, univariate comparison of the absolute mean differences of clinician scores showed no significant differences among the actual raw scores of the three conditions tested, indicating good accuracy ( p = 0.56). CONCLUSIONS: The inter-rater reliabilities of Montreal Cognitive Assessment scores across conditions were all acceptably high, and administration of the Montreal Cognitive Assessment using telehealth technology did not significantly alter the total scores. Overall, the lack of significant differences suggests that administering the Montreal Cognitive Assessment by telehealth is reliable, accurate and well received by participants.
Authors: Petra Scheerbaum; Stephanie Book; Michael Jank; Etienne Hanslian; Melanie DellO'ro; Julia Schneider; Julia-Sophia Scheuermann; Sophia Bösl; Michael Jeitler; Christian Kessler; Elmar Graessel Journal: BMJ Open Date: 2022-07-01 Impact factor: 3.006
Authors: Maiya R Geddes; Megan E O'Connell; John D Fisk; Serge Gauthier; Richard Camicioli; Zahinoor Ismail Journal: Alzheimers Dement (Amst) Date: 2020-09-22
Authors: Christopher G Tarolli; Julia M Biernot; Peter D Creigh; Emile Moukheiber; Rachel Marie E Salas; E Ray Dorsey; Adam B Cohen Journal: Neurol Clin Pract Date: 2021-04
Authors: Robert M Bilder; Karen S Postal; Mark Barisa; Darrin M Aase; C Munro Cullum; Stephen R Gillaspy; Lana Harder; Geoffrey Kanter; Margaret Lanca; David M Lechuga; Jennifer M Morgan; Randi Most; Antonio E Puente; Christine M Salinas; Jonathan Woodhouse Journal: Arch Clin Neuropsychol Date: 2020-08-28 Impact factor: 2.813
Authors: Nikolas Dietzel; Lara Kürten; Linda Karrer; Michael Reichold; Laura Köhler; Andreas Nagel; Christina Chmelirsch; Kathrin Seebahn; Markus Hladik; Sebastian Meuer; Anna Kirchner; Kristina Holm; Marina Selau; Marco Wendel; Jörg Trinkwalter; Hans-Ulrich Prokosch; Elmar Graessel; Peter L Kolominsky-Rabas Journal: BMJ Open Date: 2021-02-08 Impact factor: 2.692
Authors: Taylor L Myers; Christopher G Tarolli; Jamie L Adams; Richard Barbano; María Cristina Gil-Díaz; Kelsey L Spear; Jill Lowell; Margaret Daeschler; Lindsey Riley; Ninad Amondikar; Peggy Auinger; Connie Marras; Caroline M Tanner; E Ray Dorsey; Ruth B Schneider Journal: Clin Park Relat Disord Date: 2021-05-24