Nonverbal Neurocognitive Assessment during the Coronavirus Disease of 2019 Pandemic: the Effect of Personal Protective Equipment

Abstract

Objective The coronavirus disease of 2019 pandemic has increased personal protective equipment (PPE) use in medical settings. The current study examined the effect of PPE on a nonverbal measure of neurocognitive functioning. Methods The Leiter International Performance Scale, Third Edition (Leiter-3) was administered to 125 children between the ages of three and eight. Fifty-nine children were assessed twice without any PPE and 66 were assessed once without and once with PPE. Group differences on composite scores were evaluated using a repeated measures design, accounting for sex, school attendance, socioeconomic status, and HIV status. Results Nonverbal IQ scores increased significantly between test administrations for both groups, but no significant interaction between PPE group and scores on Leiter-3 composites was found. Conclusions No main effect of PPE on Leiter-3 outcomes was found. These results suggest clinical and research work using a nonverbal neurocognitive assessment can be completed when PPE is required.