Feasibility of cognitive assessment of healthy adults and older adults via teleconsultation using the Addenbrooke Cognitive Examination-revised (ACE-R).

• Grant number: 23/15519-3
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: April 01, 2024
• End date: February 28, 2025
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Speech Therapy
• Principal Investigator: Marcela Lima Silagi de Siqueira
• Grantee: Maysa Ramos Pinto Morozetti
• Host Institution: Escola Paulista de Medicina (EPM). Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP). Campus São Paulo. São Paulo , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Introduction and Justification: Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, healthcare practices have been adapted to remote formats and, since then, after the acute season of contagion of the virus and social distancing passed, this type of care continued to be performed due to various reasons. Prior studies have already demonstrated the feasibility of speech therapy evaluation and intervention through teleconsultation among the adult population. However, Brazilian studies are scarce, especially concerning the feasibility of cognitive assessment. Objective: To assess the viability of cognitive evaluation via teleconsultation using the Addenbrooke Cognitive Examination-revised (ACE-R) among both adult and elderly individuals, initially within a sample of cognitively healthy subjects. Methodology: A descriptive, observational, prospective, cross-sectional study. The sample will consist of individuals over 40 years old, possessing normal cognition, any level of education, functional vision and hearing, native speakers of Brazilian Portuguese, and having access to computers and broadband internet. Participants will undergo cognitive screening, mapping of depressive symptoms, and functionality evaluation. Cognitive assessment will be conducted through the Addenbrooke Cognitive Examination-revised (ACE-R), evaluating the cognitive domains of Attention and Orientation, Fluency, Language, Memory, and Visuospatial Skills. Subjects will be evaluated both in person and via teleconsultation using the Google Meet platform, with a one-month interval between assessments in a randomized order. Group performance will be compared using descriptive and inferential statistics.