Is the analogue cognitive test from the ISPOCD equivalent to the digital cognitive test Mindmore? A protocol for a randomised cross-over study including qualitative interviews with self-reported healthy seniors

Abstract

IntroductionPostoperative cognitive decline affects cognitive domains such as executive functions, memory, concentration and information processing. The analogue neuropsychological test developed by the International Study Group of Postoperative Cognitive Dysfunction (ISPOCD) is a well-established test for assessing cognitive performance. However, analogue tests are time-consuming, rarely cost-effective and can be at risk of administration bias. Digital solutions are comparable to analogue ones, have higher degrees of compliance and enable more standardised execution than analogue tests. Currently, there is a lack of recommendations for clinical evaluation of the patient’s cognition in the perioperative setting, standard care usually means no cognitive assessments prior or after the surgery. There is a need to find an equivalent neuropsychological test to the ISPOCD to make it accessible and easier to implement in a clinical context for perioperative patients. This study aims to examine how healthy seniors perform on two neuropsychological tests, analogue versus digital and measure equivalency between tests with correlation analysis.Methods and analysisThis study will use a randomised cross-over design, including qualitative interviews regarding test experiences. Healthy participants ≥60 years of age will be eligible to participate in the study. Cognitive function will be measured by using the ISPOCD test and the Mindmore digital test. The participants will self-report depressive symptoms with the Geriatric Depression Scale-15, user experience of the digital test using a modified version of the System Usability Scale and answer questionnaires targeting their experiences after the tests. Furthermore, according to the Swedish Quality of Recovery Scale, self-reported concentration difficulties will also be measured.Ethics and disseminationThe study has been approved by the Swedish Ethical Review Authority (Dnr 2021-05486-01) and will follow the principles outlined in the 1964 Helsinki Declaration and its later amendments. Results from this study will be disseminated in peer-reviewed journals, at scientific conferences, and in social media.Trial registration number2021-01095; ClinicalTrials.gov.

Comparing analog and digital neurocognitive tests with older adults: a study of the ISPOCD battery vs. a digital test battery from Mindmore

“…We also measured incidence of depressive symptoms using the 15-item geriatric depression scale (GDS-15) [ 32 ] since depression is linked to decreased cognitive performance [ 33 ], Therefore, the GDS was used to screen for symptoms of depression at the time of testing to ensure that depression did not confound the results. Furthermore, we measured concentration difficulties using one of the items about concentration difficulties (from 0, “none of the time”, to 10, “all of the time”) included in Swedish Quality of Recovery (SwQoR) [ 34 ]; see published study protocol for further details [ 35 ].…”

“…Each participant underwent both test batteries, with two weeks apart [ 35 ]. We randomized the cross-over groups using virtual research software [ 36 ] and each participant was blinded to which test they would take first, 29 participants started with the analog test and 21 participants started with the digital test.…”

“…This study was approved by the Swedish Ethical Review Authority (REC: 2021–05486-01) and registered at ClinicalTrials.gov, trial registration number 2021–0195 [ 35 ]. Prior to participation, all participants received both verbal and written information about the study’s purpose and procedure and gave their written informed consent upon enrollment.…”

Usability and feasibility of a digital cognitive screening tool measuring older adults’ early postoperative neurocognitive recovery: a protocol for a pilot study

“…11 The methods used for measuring postoperative neurocognitive performance vary widely between studies, with only a small proportion, 13.5%, using digital cognitive tests or a combination of analogue and digital tests. 15 To cover this gap we conducted a comparability study 16 between the digital cognitive test battery Mindmore Postoperative version (Mindmore-P), and the analogue International Study Group of Postoperative Cognitive Dysfunction (ISPOCD) test battery. 17 The study included 50 cognitively healthy participants aged 60 years and older.…”