Utilizing performance validity testing and social cognition measures for teleneuropsychological assessment

Abstract

The purpose of this current project was to determine the feasibility of performance validity testing and social cognition measures using videoconferencing. The literature concerning teleneuropsychological assessment is still relative bare at this point when compared to telehealth utilization in other healthcare fields. With the COVID-19 pandemic, this gap became apparent as clinicians around the world attempted to piece together batteries that would support their clinical diagnoses while maintaining standardization through videoconferencing. No studies to date had evaluated the feasibility of administering performance validity and social cognition measures by means of videoconferencing. This study selected a core of cognitive, performance validity, and social cognition measures that were administered to participants over videoconferencing while they remained in their homes. Scores were compared to comparison groups from the same Midwestern University that were administered the same measures through face-to-face administration collected for previous studies. The results of this study found that numerous cognitive and performance validity measures did not produce comparable results across testing modalities. There were no significant differences observed on a measure of social cognition. Furthermore, the results of this study suggested continued research is needed to evaluate the effectiveness of administering assessments over videoconferencing and the feasibility of having participants remain in their homes during these evaluations.