Digital neuropsychological assessment: Feasibility and applicability in patients with acquired brain injury

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Digital neuropsychological assessment (d-NPA) has several advantages over paper-and-pencil tests in neuropsychological assessment, such as a more standardized stimulus presentation and response acquisition. We investigated (1) the feasibility and user-experience of a d-NPA in patients with acquired brain injury (ABI) and healthy controls; (2) the applicability of conventional paper-and-pencil norms on digital tests; and (3) whether familiarity with a tablet would affect test performance on a tablet. METHOD: percentile, which was expected to be no more than 10%. The effect of tablet familiarity on test performance was examined with a regression-based model. RESULTS: Overall, 94% of patients completed the d-NPA. The d-NPA was considered pleasant by patients and healthy controls. Conventional norms that exist for paper-and-pencil tests were not applicable on the digital version of the tests, as up to 34% of healthy controls showed an abnormal performance on half of the tests. Tablet familiarity did not affect test performance on a tablet, indicating that participants who were more experienced with working with a tablet did not perform better on digital tests. CONCLUSIONS: The administration of a d-NPA is feasible in patients with ABI. Familiarity with a tablet did not impact test performance, which is particularly important in neuropsychological assessment. Future research should focus on developing norms in order to implement a d-NPA in clinical practice.