All CHeBA projects
CogSCAN:
Study of Computer-Administered Neuropsychological tests in seniors.
The first independent, systematic evaluation of four prominent and widely used computerised cognitive assessment instruments in healthy older adults and in people with mild cognitive impairment and dementia.
Ìý
Description
Dementia poses a significant public health challenge. Timely diagnosis is crucial for effective intervention, yet many older adults at risk remain undiagnosed. Accurate identification of cognitive decline in its early or mild stages depends on objective cognitive assessments. Unfortunately, the current healthcare system lacks sufficient trained specialists and resources to meet the growing demand for these evaluations.
In response to this gap, computerised neuropsychological assessments (CNAs) have emerged as a promising solution. CNAs are cost- and time-efficient, highly accessible and precise, and can be administered with lower training requirements than traditional neuropsychological assessment. The CogSCAN study is evaluating four of the most prominent CNAs in terms of their validity, reliability and acceptability for older adults including those from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, and individuals living with mild cognitive impairment and dementia. Establishing this evidence is essential before CNAs can be confidently integrated into clinical practice.
Participants undertaking computer-administered neuropsychological tests in the CogSCAN lab.
Project type
Research project
CogSCANÌý
Project status
Current
Participate in CogSCAN
Seeking volunteers aged 60
Design and method
CogSCAN has two main study arms. Participants are allocated to the ‘reliability’ arm and receive two of four CNAs on two occasions approximately one month apart, or the ‘validity’ arm and receive a traditional neuropsychological assessment and two of four CNAs approximately one week apart. Participants complete a survey about their experience completing the assessments. They also complete questionnaires about their background (including language background), health, mood and attitudes and experience with technology.
More than 300 participants aged 60 and older and living in the community have been recruited. The majority of participants were seen in the CogSCAN computer lab with a smaller group completing CNAs in their own homes.Ìý
Recent research insights
Findings from two Masters students’ projects (Matilda Rossie and Madeleine Skinner) highlight the association of computer anxiety and test anxiety with test performance of older adults undertaking CNAs.
From our PhD student project (Zara Page), 250 overseas-born Australian older adults from 63 different countries with a non-English native language completed a newly-developed online tool - the ‘Characterising Language Experience and Acculturation Questionnaire’. Four distinct factors reflecting different aspects of language and culture were derived from participant responses and are being investigated to determine their influence on participants’ performance on CNAs and traditional neuropsychological assessment.Ìý
Participate in CogSCAN
We are seeking expressions of interest from individuals from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds to volunteer in a study evaluating computer-based cognitive assessments. These assessments may offer a more culturally-appropriate way to measure memory and thinking in older adults. The study explores how factors like time spent in Australia and age of English acquisition affect cognitive test performance. Your participation will help improve the accuracy and fairness of diagnosing Mild Cognitive Impairment and dementia in culturally and linguistically diverse communities.
Am I eligible for this research study? You may be able to participate if you are aged 60 years and older and have good English proficiency (speaking and reading), and can speak a language other than English fluently at a conversational level and/or read a language other than English competently.
People of all language and cultural backgrounds are welcome. People with any level of computer experience, or none at all, are welcome.
If you are interested in finding out more about the study, please send an email to: cogscan@unsw.edu.au
Exploring language and culture: Insights from the CogSCAN Online Survey Study
This summary was developed in collaboration with the CogSCAN Community Working Group (who are also co-authors) and outlines the results of the CLEAr-Q Online Survey Study.Ìý
CogSCAN team
Contact
If you're interested in finding out more about the study, please email us:Ìýcogscan@unsw.edu.au
Ìý