Norwich Medical School, University of East Anglia, Norwich, United Kingdom.
PLoS One. 2024 Aug 20;19(8):e0309006. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0309006. eCollection 2024.
Early evidence in using online cognitive assessments show that they could offer a feasible and resource-efficient alternative to in-person clinical assessments in evaluating cognitive performance, yet there is currently little understanding about how these assessments relate to traditional, in-person cognitive tests.
In this preliminary study, we assess the feasibility and reliability of NeurOn, a novel online cognitive assessment tool. NeurOn measures various cognitive domains including processing speed, executive functioning, spatial working memory, episodic memory, attentional control, visuospatial functioning, and spatial orientation.
Thirty-two participants (mean age: 70.19) completed two testing sessions, unsupervised online and in-person, one-week apart. Participants were randomised in the order of testing appointments. For both sessions, participants completed questionnaires prior to a cognitive assessment. Test-retest reliability and concurrent validity of the online cognitive battery was assessed using intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) and correlational analysis, respectively. This was conducted by comparing performance in repeated tasks across testing sessions as well as with traditional, in-person cognitive tests.
Global cognition in the NeurOn battery moderately validated against MoCA performance, and the battery demonstrated moderate test-retest reliability. Concurrent validity was found only between the online and paper versions of the Trail Making Test -A, as well as global cognitive performance between online and in-person testing sessions.
The NeurOn cognitive battery provides a promising tool for measuring cognitive performance online both longitudinally and across short retesting intervals within healthy older adults. When considering cost-effectiveness, flexible administration, and improved accessibility for wider populations, online cognitive assessments show promise for future screening of neurodegenerative diseases.
早期使用在线认知评估的证据表明，它们可以为评估认知表现提供一种可行且资源高效的替代方法，而目前对于这些评估与传统的面对面认知测试之间的关系了解甚少。
在这项初步研究中，我们评估了 NeurOn，一种新的在线认知评估工具的可行性和可靠性。NeurOn 测量了包括处理速度、执行功能、空间工作记忆、情景记忆、注意力控制、视空间功能和空间定向在内的各种认知领域。
32 名参与者（平均年龄：70.19 岁）完成了两次测试，一次是在线非监督测试，一次是面对面测试，间隔一周。参与者按照测试预约的顺序进行随机分组。对于两次测试，参与者都在认知评估前完成了问卷调查。通过比较测试间隔内重复任务的表现以及与传统的面对面认知测试的表现，使用组内相关系数（ICCs）和相关性分析评估在线认知测试的重测信度和同时效度。
NeurOn 测试套件中的整体认知与 MoCA 表现中等程度相关，并且该测试套件具有中等程度的重测信度。仅在线和纸质版的连线测试 A 以及在线和面对面测试之间的整体认知表现之间发现了同时效度。
NeurOn 认知测试套件为在线测量认知表现提供了一种有前途的工具，无论是在健康老年人中进行纵向研究还是在短时间内进行重复测试都具有可行性。当考虑成本效益、灵活的管理以及为更广泛的人群提高可及性时，在线认知评估在未来筛查神经退行性疾病方面显示出了很大的潜力。
