Marrying Past and Present Neuropsychology: Is the Future of the Process-Based Approach Technology-Based?

Frontiers in Psychology

article

Unai Diaz-Orueta¹  Alberto Blanco-Campal²  Melissa Lamar³  David J. Libon⁴  Teresa Burke⁵ 

[1] Department of Psychology, Maynooth University;Department of Psychiatry for the Older Person, Memory Clinic Services, Health Service Executive;Rush Alzheimer’s Disease Center, Rush University Medical Center, United States;New Jersey Institute for Successful Aging, School of Osteopathic Medicine, Rowan University, United States;School of Psychology, Faculty of Science and Health, Dublin City University

关键词: process-based approach;    neuropsychological assessment;    computerized tests;    virtual reality;    ecological validity;   

DOI  :  10.3389/fpsyg.2020.00361

学科分类：社会科学、人文和艺术（综合）

来源: Frontiers

【 摘 要 】

A cognitive assessment strategy that is not limited to examining a set of summary test scores may be more helpful for early detection of emergent illness such as Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and may permit a better understanding of cognitive functions and dysfunctions in those with AD and other dementia disorders. A revisit of the work already undertaken by Kaplan and colleagues using the Boston Process-Approach provides a solid basis for identifying new opportunities to capture data on neurocognitive processes, test-taking strategies and response styles. Thus, this critical review will combine traditional process-based assessment strategies with support provided or offered by newer technologies that have the potential to add value to data collection and interpretation. There is now considerable interest in neuropsychological test administration using computer/digital technology, both in research and in clinical settings. To add value, any computerized version of an existing cognitive test should respect the administration procedure for which normative data were obtained, should be time-saving in terms of scoring and interpretation, and should, we argue, facilitate gathering information about the processes and strategies followed in test completion. This article will offer an overview of the steps needed when implementing computerization of neuropsychological tests using a Process-Based Approach (PBA) to these technology-based adaptations and will discuss further developments in this area by linking it to future technological developments that may be possible in the area of neuropsychological assessment. Additionally, an overview of neuropsychological tests that may benefit from computerization will be presented, together with suggestions on the specific processes, strategies and features that may be captured with the aid of such computerization. Finally, hypotheses on how virtual reality could be an asset for the future of the PBA to neuropsychological assessment will also be discussed.

【 授权许可】

CC BY