Tele-Neuropsychological Assessment Tools in Italy: A Systematic Review on Psychometric Properties and Usability

Neurological Sciences

Zanin, E., Aiello, E. N., et al. (2022).

Neurological Sciences, 43, 125-138.

This systematic review investigates the psychometric properties and feasibility of remote neuropsychological assessment tools for assessing cognitive domains in Italian individuals affected by different medical conditions.

Not stated

14

Cross-sectional observational studies; longitudinal observational studies; case reports; case series (excludes abstracts, reviews, meta-analyses, research protocols, qualitative studies, opinion papers)

From database inception to March 15, 2021

<div>The following findings were noted for Italian cognitive screeners:</div> <ul> <li><span style="color: #333333;">Italian tele-neuropsychological screening tools [e.g., Italian telephone-Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), video conference-based MMSE (VMMSE), Italian Telephone Interview for Cognitive Status (I-TICS)] demonstrate promising feasibility and positive psychometric properties (e.g., reliable and sensitive to changes in cognition over time). </span></li> <li><span style="color: #333333;">The Itel-MMSE seems predictive towards the in-person MMSE; however, the difference in age ranges (0-22 years old and 0-30 years old, respectively) impacts the criterion validity. </span></li> <li><span style="color: #333333;">The VMMSE overestimated the degree of cognitive impairment in individuals with dementia and includes items that do not overlap with the MMSE. </span></li> <li><span style="color: #333333;">The VMMSE demonstrates higher sensitivity (87%) and specificity (97%) as compared to the Itel-MMSE. </span></li> <li><span style="color: #333333;">The I-TICS shows validity, reliability, feasibility, and moderate sensitivity and specificity in adults. </span></li> </ul> <div><span style="color: #333333;">Additional research on Italian domain-specific tools is needed.</span></div>