Sociodemographic and health predictors of adherence to self-administered computerized cognitive assessment

TL;DR

This study identifies factors like age, gender, and education that influence adherence to long-term computerized cognitive screening in the general population.

Contribution

The study identifies specific sociodemographic and health predictors of long-term adherence to self-administered cognitive assessments.

Findings

Older age positively affects adherence to periodic cognitive screening over both 1-year and 3- to 6-year follow-ups.

Female gender, higher education, and better baseline performance in the cognitive test correlate with higher adherence at 3- to 6-year follow-ups.

Memory complaints reported by participants are associated with increased adherence in the longer-term follow-up period.

Abstract

Cognitive assessment is essential to detect early cognitive decline and guide interventions. Self-administered computerized assessment is a promising option for periodic cognitive screening in the general population. One of the most critical challenges to implementing cognitive screening in at risk populations is participants’ adherence. However, there is insufficient evidence to determine which factors are essential for adherence to long-term digital cognitive screening.

This study aims to investigate potential sociodemographic and health predictors of adherence to a self-administered web-based cognitive monitoring, the Brain on Track (BoT), in the general population.

Participants (n = 347) were recruited from the general community. The participants were asked to perform one BoT test every 3 months for cognitive screening and were followed at two time points, namely, 1-year and 3- to 6-year follow-up. Regression models were used to investigate sociodemographic and health predictors of adherence to BoT use at 1 year and up to 6 years.

Being older positively affects adherence to periodic cognitive screening for both follow-up periods. Being a female, having more years of formal education, presenting more BoT baseline correct answers and fewer BoT baseline incorrect answers, and reporting memory complaints positively affect adherence to periodic screening at 3 to 6 years of follow-up but not at 1-year follow-up.

The identified determinants of adherence can be considered when planning long-term cognitive screening protocols to increase adherence. Specific strategies could be helpful to improve the adherence of participants who adhere less.

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