FACTIBILIDAD Y GRADO DE SATISFACCIÓN DE UNA EVALUACIÓN TELENEUROPSICOLÓGICA EN UNA MUESTRA DE ADULTOS MAYORES QUE TUVIERON O NO COVID-19 EN LA REPÚBLICA DE PANAMÁ, 2023- 2024

Abstract

Teleneuropsychology is a modality of neuropsychology that has gained more relevance since the COVID-19 pandemic. However, feasibility of these kind of evaluation is unknown in Panamá. The objective of this study is to describe the feasibility and satisfaction with the application of a teleneuropsychological battery in people 50+ years older in Panamá, and the relation between cognitive health of the participants and suffering COVID-19 previously. This is a descriptive, quantitative, cross-sectional and observational study, with an applied focus. The study´s sample corresponded to 50+ years older adults in Panamá. Participants were contacted to confirm if they complied with inclusion criteria, Telephone Interview for Cognitive Status of Memory (TICS-M) and the National Alzheimer´s Coordinating Center (NACC) Health Questionnaire were applied to confirm if the participant could be assessed virtually. If eligible, sociodemographic questionnaires were applied. Teleneuropsychological assessments were made using a teleneuropsychological battery using zoom and REDCap platforms. COVID-19 background questionnaire was applied and participants were asked to fill a satisfaction formulary. The sample consisted of 67 participants 50+ years older (M=62.16, DE=7.64) that completed the assessments and answered the sociodemographic questionnaires. Participants had high levels of education (M=16.67, DE=1.95). Chronic health issues were majorly reported (M=1.09, DE=0.96) and there were few depressive symptoms (M=1.50, DE=1.83). Regarding the teleneuropsychological tests, there were not significant differences in most of the applied tests when compared by sex, age or COVID-19 background, with the exception of the Multilingual.Naming Test (MINT), with better performances from men compared to women (p < .001), the verbal fluidity test with better performances from men compared to women (p = .032), the Wisconsin 7 Sorting Card Test where younger participants had better results (p = .020) similar to participants who had COVID-19 background (p = .009) and the Oral Trail Making Test B (OTMTB), were participants with COVID-19 background finished the test faster (p = .010). When comparing z scores controlling for education, there were not significant differences in most of the applied tests, with the exception of the RAVLT Delayed (p = 0.01) were men with COVID-19 background recalled more words from the list; and in the OTMTB (p = 0.05) were women with COVID-19 background had more points. Significantly high (p < .05) and very high (p < .001) correlations were found between teleneuropsychological tests that assessed the same domains. 2 factors were identified with a principal component analysis that explained 33.1 % of the variance in the correlation matrix. Finally, most of the sample was satisfied (33.8 %) or very satisfied (60.0 %) with the teleneuropsychological assessment. Feasibility of the teleneuropsychological assessment was described in Panamá with 50+ years older adults without cognitive impairment. No significant relation was found between COVID-19 background and participant´s cognitive health. These results should be verified in future studies. The cognitive profile of the sample corresponded with that of an older adult without cognitive impairment. Significantly high and very high correlations were found between tests that assessed the same domains and 2 factors explained 33 % of the variance in the correlation matrix, all these tests assessed memory. Finally, the sample showed high levels of satisfaction with the cognitive assessment.