We previously showed that a fully automated voice recognition analog of the Symbol Digit Modalities Test (VR-SDMT) is sensitive in detecting processing speed deficits in people with multiple sclerosis (pwMS). We subsequently developed a French language version and administered it to 49 French-Canadian pwMS and 29 matched healthy control (HC) subjects. Significant correlations between the VR-SDMT and traditional oral SDMT were found in the MS (r = -0.716, p < 0.001) and HC (r = -0.623, p < 0.001) groups. These findings in French replicate our previous findings and confirm the utility of voice recognition software in assessing cognition in pwMS.
Keywords: French voice recognition cognitive testing; Information processing speed; Multiple sclerosis; SDMT.