Reliability of a Novel Computerized Neuropsychological Battery for Mild Cognitive Impairment

Background. The NeuroTrax Mindstreams computerized cognitive assessment system was designed for widespread clinical and research use. A requirement for its use in longitudinal testing is demonstration of good test-retest reliability. To minimize practice effects, alternate forms of Mindstreams tests were administered on serial testing sessions. The present study evaluated the equivalence of the alternate forms in the context of test-retest reliability. Methods. A 2-center study was designed to evaluate test-retest reliability. 57 healthy participants (mean age 55.12 years) were tested twice with a wide range of Mindstreams tests. Analysis consisted of Pearson correlations. Results. Mindstreams outcome measures showed high test-retest correlations. Index scores that summarized performance in each cognitive domain showed good reliability: Memory r = 0.84, Executive Function r = 0.80, Visual Spatial r = 0.64, Verbal r = 0.40, Attention r = 0.79, Information Processing Speed r = 0.68, Motor Skills r = 0.80. Conclusion. Mindstreams computerized assessment is reliable for longitudinal testing.