Comparing face-to-face and videoconference assessment of the Brief Repeatable Battery of Neuropsychological Tests in people with multiple sclerosis

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has underlined the need to evaluate cognitive profile via videoconferencing (teleneuropsychology, TeleNP) as a suitable alternative to face-to-face assessment (F-F). Objective: To evaluate the feasibility and the reliability of Rao's Brief Repeatable Battery of Neuropsychological Tests (R-BRB) remote administration in people with multiple sclerosis (PwMS). Methods: Sixty PwMS underwent R-BRB in two conditions: F-F and TeleNP, 1 month apart. Results: Cognitive test performance was similar, regardless of the administration type, but visuospatial test performance was better in F-F. Conclusion: These data suggest that TeleNP is feasible and highly reliable in MS clinical practice.

Automated summary

This study evaluated the feasibility and reliability of teleneuropsychology (TeleNP) in assessing the cognitive profile of people with multiple sclerosis (PwMS) compared to face-to-face assessment (F-F). The results showed similar cognitive test performance regardless of the administration type, but better visuospatial test performance in the F-F condition. Therefore, TeleNP is a feasible and highly reliable approach in MS clinical practice.