title: Feasibility of neuropsychological testing of older adults via videoconference: implications for assessing the capacity for independent living.
abstract: We examined the feasibility of administering neuropsychological tests via videoconference. Twenty-nine participants from central Alberta volunteered for the study. All were 60 years of age or older and were without neurological or psychiatric disturbance. All the participants were tested under two experimental conditions: face to face and via videoconference (at a bandwidth of 336 or 384 kbit/s). Memory and learning, letter fluency, expressive word knowledge, reasoning, verbal attention and visual-spatial processing were examined. Scores for expressive word knowledge were similar in the two test conditions, although larger differences were found in the visual-spatial processing scores. Following the final testing session, participants were given a questionnaire which explored their reactions to the technology. There was no significant difference in the proportions of participants who expressed a preference for each mode of testing. All participants were comfortable with the technology.
authors.affiliation: Alberta Hospital Ponoka, Ponoka, Alberta, Canada. rhildebrand@dthr.ab.ca
authors.forename: Roger
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Hildebrand
authors.forename: Hau
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Chow
authors.forename: Catherine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Williams
authors.forename: Monty
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Nelson
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Wass
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000368:Aged; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D015577:Geriatric Assessment / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D019114:Remote Consultation / Q000379:methods*