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Teleneuropsychology: Evidence for Video Teleconference-Based Neuropsychological Assessment

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  24 October 2014

C. Munro Cullum ,
L.S. Hynan ,
M. Grosch Open the ORCID record for M. Grosch [Opens in a new window] ,
M. Parikh  and
M.F. Weiner
C. Munro Cullum*
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas Department of Neurology & Neurotherapeutics, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas
L.S. Hynan
Affiliation:
Department of Clinical Sciences, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas
M. Grosch
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas
M. Parikh
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas
M.F. Weiner
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas Department of Neurology & Neurotherapeutics, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas
*
Correspondence and reprint requests to: C. Munro Cullum, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, 5323 Harry Hines Blvd., Dallas, TX 75390-9044. E-mail: munro.cullum@utsouthwestern.edu
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Abstract

The use of videoconference technology to deliver health care diagnostics and treatment continues to grow at a rapid pace. Telepsychiatry and telepsychology applications are well-accepted by patients and providers, and both diagnostic and treatment outcomes have generally been similar to traditional face-to-face interactions. Preliminary applications of videoconference-based neuropsychological assessment (teleneuropsychology) have yielded promising results in the feasibility and reliability of several standard tests, although large-scale studies are lacking. This investigation was conducted to determine the reliability of video teleconference (VTC) - based neuropsychological assessment using a brief battery of standard neuropsychological tests commonly used in the evaluation of known or suspected dementia. Tests included the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), Hopkins Verbal Learning Test-Revised, Digit Span forward and backward, short form Boston Naming Test, Letter and Category Fluency, and Clock Drawing. Tests were administered via VTC and in-person to subjects, counterbalanced using alternate test forms and standard instructions. Two hundred two adult subjects were tested in both rural and urban settings, including 83 with cognitive impairment and 119 healthy controls. We found highly similar results across VTC and in-person conditions, with significant intraclass correlations (mean=.74; range: 0.55–0.91) between test scores. Findings remained consistent in subjects with or without cognitive impairment and in persons with MMSE scores as low as 15. VTC-based neuropsychological testing is a valid and reliable alternative to traditional face-to-face assessment using selected measures. More VTC-based studies using additional tests in different populations are needed to fully explore the utility of this new testing medium. (JINS, 2014, 20, 1–6)

Keywords

TelehealthTelemedicineTeleneuropsychologyTelepsychologyDementiaVTC-testingRural and urban
Type
Research Articles
Information
Journal of the International Neuropsychological Society , Volume 20 , Issue 10 , November 2014 , pp. 1028 - 1033
Copyright
Copyright © The International Neuropsychological Society 2014 

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