Skip to main content

Table 3 Advantages and disadvantages of telephone neurocognitive assessment in research

From: Feasibility of remote neurocognitive assessment: pandemic adaptations for a clinical trial, the Cognition and Obstructive Sleep Apnea in Parkinson’s Disease, Effect of Positive Airway Pressure Therapy (COPE-PAP) study

 

Patient perspective

Study perspective

Advantages

- Eliminates costs and time related to travel

-May reduce caregiver burden related to travel for testing

- Provides a familiar testing environment

-Reduces anxiety regarding study visit (e.g., being late, finding room)

- May increase willingness to participate in protocol.

-May allow inclusion of individuals who would otherwise be unable to attend (e.g., disabled, living far, limited transport options…), broadening the study sample and enhancing external validity of study results.

-Mitigates data loss when participant is unable to attend visit physically (e.g., COVID-19 pandemic)

Disadvantages

- Coordination with study personnel requiring multiple phone calls

- No visual clues (especially for those with hearing impairment)

-No research staff available in person to help with testing materials, potentially anxiogenic

-Possible distractions, e.g., other household members, noise

- Time-consuming Logistics (scheduling phone call, sending material to and from participant’s house, etc.)

- Costs of mailing via secure courier

- Inability to control testing environment (noise, etc.)

- Inability to ensure participant follows study procedures (opening envelope prematurely, caregiver help, etc.)