Teleneuropsycological adaptation of the NEUROPSI Breve screening test

Abstract

Objective

Teleneuropsychology refers to the application of neuropsychology using video teleconferencing (VTC) techniques, whose methodology facilitates access to remote populations, a need that has increased due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Numerous investigations have documented the equivalence of different screening assessments (Mini Mental State Examination, Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) test and the Repeatable Battery for the Assessment for Neuropsychological Status) when applied via teleneuropsychology. The goal of the present work is to test the equivalence of the Brief Neuropsychological Battery in Spanish (NEUROPSI Breve), a neuropsychological screening instrument standardized for Spanish-speaking population that has reported a high sensitivity (91.6%) for identifying dementia, when applied in the VTC modality.

Method

In total, 32 Mexicans between 16 and 70 years were assessed, both in traditional (face-to-face) and VTC format with a 20 min wait between each application. Each participant was randomly assigned into one of four groups that were generated from the established conditions: the first application could be face-to-face or by VTC modality and an adapted or original version of NEUROPSI Breve would be applied; for the second application, the remaining modality and instrument would be used. Statistical analysis was carried out using the IBM Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) software (v. 25).

Results

The Wilcoxon signed-rank test presented statistically significant differences (Z = −2.79, P = .005). However, when applied to each one of the four evaluation groups, the Wilcoxon signed-rank test showed no statistically significant differences; the same results were found when starting with the original or adapted instrument, and when starting with the face-to-face modality (P < .005). However, differences are shown when starting with the online (VTC) modality (groups B and C) (P = .028).

Conclusions

The NEUROPSI Breve is applicable in both modalities, satisfying the needs of the population and the evaluation guidelines.