Cognitive, Mood, and Functional Evaluations Using Touchscreen Technology

Abstract

We describe the design and development of the Cognitive Evaluation Protocol (CEP), a computer software program for evaluating cognitive and functional capacities and mood. The program is self-administered by subjects using touchscreen monitors for input. Stimuli in CEP subtests are randomized to reduce the effects of learning on repeated assessments. Findings demonstrate that a) minimum instruction is required for touchscreen use, even for computer-naive subjects; c) both normative subjects and psychiatric patients respond positively to self-administered evaluations; and c) CEP can be used for within-subject repeated evaluations with minimal distortion of results due to practice effects. The CEP Report Generator provides immediate printed performance results and creates a database for long-term digital storage and information use.

Patient Difficulty Using Tablet Computers to Screen in Primary Care

“…1 Using a self-completed computerized questionnaire, patients can report completion of preventive health services as well as pain and health status. 2,3 Computer algorithms can score and present information from validated questionnaires such as the RAND-36 or Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale in real time, enabling use during routine patient encounters. Physicians can then respond to issues identified while saving time on data collection.…”

“…Physicians can then respond to issues identified while saving time on data collection. 3,4 Computerized questionnaires can also employ skip patterns, obviating the need for patients to answer redundant questions while also ensuring that all relevant questions are completed. Additionally, prior research has found that information collected via computer is valid compared to paper and pencil surveys.…”

“…Additionally, primary care recognition of mental health problems is often lacking. 18,19 While the use of computers to collect behavioral and mental health screening information holds great potential to be successful 2,3 , such systems must be accessible to a primary care population. This population includes older adults, those with lower education attainment, as well as those with high disease burden, 20 which creates competing priorities for office visit time.…”

Right Mouse Button Surrogate on Touch Screens

“…All such devices will be referred to as touch screens in the following text. Touch screens convey a direct bond between displayed information and haptic interaction and thus are very intuitive and close to lowest level sensorimotor processes, which has manifested not only in human psychology research (for example (McGuire et al, 2000), (Weber et al, 2003) and others), but also in animal behaviour experiments (for example (Conway & Christiansen, 2001), (Hashiya & Kojima, 1997) and many others). The popularity of touch screens is also due to their hardware, software and functional compatibility with computer mice, which significantly simplifies their application to areas, where information technology with typical user interfaces is already being extensively used.…”