Validation of an ecological momentary assessment to measure processing speed and executive function in schizophrenia
Abstract Cognitive impairments are a core feature of schizophrenia that have negative impacts on functional outcomes. However, it remains challenging to assess these impairments in clinical settings. Smartphone apps provide the opportunity to measure cognitive impairments in an accessible way; howev...
| Main Authors: | , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Nature Portfolio
2021-12-01
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| Series: | npj Schizophrenia |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41537-021-00194-9 |
| _version_ | 1827615253782855680 |
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| author | Cecelia Shvetz Feng Gu Jessica Drodge John Torous Synthia Guimond |
| author_facet | Cecelia Shvetz Feng Gu Jessica Drodge John Torous Synthia Guimond |
| author_sort | Cecelia Shvetz |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Cognitive impairments are a core feature of schizophrenia that have negative impacts on functional outcomes. However, it remains challenging to assess these impairments in clinical settings. Smartphone apps provide the opportunity to measure cognitive impairments in an accessible way; however, more research is needed to validate these cognitive assessments in schizophrenia. We assessed the initial accessibility, validity, and reliability of a smartphone-based cognitive test to measure cognition in schizophrenia. A total of 29 individuals with schizophrenia and 34 controls were included in the analyses. Participants completed the standard pen-and-paper Trail Making Tests (TMT) A and B, and smartphone-based versions, Jewels Trail Tests (JTT) A and B, at the single in-lab visit. Participants were asked to complete the JTT remotely once per week for three months. We also investigated how subjective sleep quality and mood may affect cognitive performance longitudinally. In-lab and remote JTT scores moderately and positively correlated with in-lab TMT scores. Moderate test-retest reliability was observed across the in-lab, first remote, and last remote completion times of the JTT. Additionally, individuals with schizophrenia had significantly lower performance compared to controls on both the in-lab JTT and TMT. Self-reported mood had a significant effect on JTT A performance over time but no other significant relationships were found remotely. Our results support the initial accessibility, validity and reliability of using the JTT to measure cognition in schizophrenia. Future research to develop additional smartphone-based cognitive tests as well as with larger samples and in other psychiatric populations are warranted. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-09T09:08:21Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-bbf8ea043cc74194abcb1c1c220a3b87 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2334-265X |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-09T09:08:21Z |
| publishDate | 2021-12-01 |
| publisher | Nature Portfolio |
| record_format | Article |
| series | npj Schizophrenia |
| spelling | doaj.art-bbf8ea043cc74194abcb1c1c220a3b872023-12-02T09:42:32ZengNature Portfolionpj Schizophrenia2334-265X2021-12-01711910.1038/s41537-021-00194-9Validation of an ecological momentary assessment to measure processing speed and executive function in schizophreniaCecelia Shvetz0Feng Gu1Jessica Drodge2John Torous3Synthia Guimond4The Royal’s Institute of Mental Health ResearchThe Royal’s Institute of Mental Health ResearchThe Royal’s Institute of Mental Health ResearchDepartment of Psychiatry and Division of Clinical Informatics, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical SchoolThe Royal’s Institute of Mental Health ResearchAbstract Cognitive impairments are a core feature of schizophrenia that have negative impacts on functional outcomes. However, it remains challenging to assess these impairments in clinical settings. Smartphone apps provide the opportunity to measure cognitive impairments in an accessible way; however, more research is needed to validate these cognitive assessments in schizophrenia. We assessed the initial accessibility, validity, and reliability of a smartphone-based cognitive test to measure cognition in schizophrenia. A total of 29 individuals with schizophrenia and 34 controls were included in the analyses. Participants completed the standard pen-and-paper Trail Making Tests (TMT) A and B, and smartphone-based versions, Jewels Trail Tests (JTT) A and B, at the single in-lab visit. Participants were asked to complete the JTT remotely once per week for three months. We also investigated how subjective sleep quality and mood may affect cognitive performance longitudinally. In-lab and remote JTT scores moderately and positively correlated with in-lab TMT scores. Moderate test-retest reliability was observed across the in-lab, first remote, and last remote completion times of the JTT. Additionally, individuals with schizophrenia had significantly lower performance compared to controls on both the in-lab JTT and TMT. Self-reported mood had a significant effect on JTT A performance over time but no other significant relationships were found remotely. Our results support the initial accessibility, validity and reliability of using the JTT to measure cognition in schizophrenia. Future research to develop additional smartphone-based cognitive tests as well as with larger samples and in other psychiatric populations are warranted.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41537-021-00194-9 |
| spellingShingle | Cecelia Shvetz Feng Gu Jessica Drodge John Torous Synthia Guimond Validation of an ecological momentary assessment to measure processing speed and executive function in schizophrenia npj Schizophrenia |
| title | Validation of an ecological momentary assessment to measure processing speed and executive function in schizophrenia |
| title_full | Validation of an ecological momentary assessment to measure processing speed and executive function in schizophrenia |
| title_fullStr | Validation of an ecological momentary assessment to measure processing speed and executive function in schizophrenia |
| title_full_unstemmed | Validation of an ecological momentary assessment to measure processing speed and executive function in schizophrenia |
| title_short | Validation of an ecological momentary assessment to measure processing speed and executive function in schizophrenia |
| title_sort | validation of an ecological momentary assessment to measure processing speed and executive function in schizophrenia |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41537-021-00194-9 |
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