Digital cognitive tests and their ability to assess Parkinson's disease cognitive impairment

: a systematic review and experimental study

Abstract

The first chapter includes a systematic review that aims to examine the effectiveness of using digital cognitive assessments to assess Parkinson’s Disease Mild Cognitive Impairment (PD-MCI).

The second chapter (Phase I) includes the development of a novel cognitive test, Mater-Royal Parkinson’s Disease Cognitive Scale (M-R PDCS). The objectives were to continue to develop, validate, refine, and externally validate a novel cognitive screening instrument to differentiate normal cognition from Parkinson’s Disease Mild Cognitive Impairment (PD-MCI). Using mixed methods, 20 experts within the field of PD-MCI reviewed the validity and acceptability of the M-R PDCS. The results and implications of Phase I informed recommendations for future research.

Chapter 3 (Phase II) extends on from Phase I, further aiming to validate the M-R PDCS by collecting normative data (from people who do not have PD). A cross-sectional, quantitative method of design recruited 100 adults, who completed both the digital M-R PDCS and a digital version of the Addenbrooke’s (ACE-III) cognitive test. Aspects of reliability were also examined. The results and implications of these are discussed with recommendations for future research.

Thesis is embargoed until 31 December 2026.

Date of Award	Dec 2024
Original language	English
Awarding Institution	Queen's University Belfast
Sponsors	Business Services Organisation
Supervisor	Martin Dempster (Supervisor), David Curran (Supervisor) & Nigel Lyttle (Supervisor)