Examination of the reliability and feasibility of two smartphone applications to assess executive functioning in racially diverse older adults

Neuropsychol Dev Cogn B Aging Neuropsychol Cogn. 2022 Nov;29(6):1068-1086. doi: 10.1080/13825585.2021.1962790. Epub 2021 Aug 12.

Abstract

Inclusion of Black participants in clinical research is a national priority. Mobile applications and remote data collection may increase study access for diverse populations. This study examined the reliability and feasibility of two mobile smartphone application-based cognitive measures in a diverse middle aged and older adult sample. Black (n = 44; Mage = 59.93) and non-Hispanic white (NHW; n = 50; Mage = 61.06) participants completed traditional paper-based neuropsychological testing and two app-based measures, Arrows and Number Match. Intraclass correlations demonstrated poor to moderate reliability (range: .417-.569) between performance on the app-based versions and performance on the traditional versions. Performance score differences by racial group were not statistically significant. Both Black and NHW participants rated the app-based measures as feasible and acceptable, though Black participants endorsed a stronger likelihood of future use. These findings add to the growing literature on remote cognitive testing .

Keywords: Remote neuropsychological assessment; black; feasibility; non-Hispanic white; reliability; smartphone application.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Executive Function
  • Feasibility Studies
  • Humans
  • Middle Aged
  • Mobile Applications*
  • Reproducibility of Results
  • Smartphone