Evidence map›Paper›PMID 32965240›Full record

ArticleJournal of medical Internet research2020

A Rapid Electronic Cognitive Assessment Measure for Multiple Sclerosis: Validation of Cognitive Reaction, an Electronic Version of the Symbol Digit Modalities Test.

Rod M Middleton, Owen R Pearson, Gillian Ingram, Elaine M Craig, William J Rodgers, Hannah Downing-Wood, Joseph Hill, Katherine Tuite-Dalton, Christopher Roberts, Lynne Watson and 3 more

Open access · goldAbstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Journal of medical Internet research, 2020. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 13 papers, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
13citing papers in PubMed, 1 pooled it
1.2field-weighted citation impact, top 22% of its field
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

13 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it, 18 citations in OpenAlex.

  1. Pooled it
  2. Article
  3. Review
  4. Article
  5. Plateau of practice effects and noise with repeat SDMT testing in multiple sclerosis.Multiple sclerosis (Houndmills, Basingstoke, England) · 2025
    Article
  6. Differential Validity in the Written, Oral, and Electronic SDMT in Multiple Sclerosis.Multiple sclerosis (Houndmills, Basingstoke, England) · 2025
    Article
  7. Article
  8. Article
  9. Article
  10. Article
  11. Digital Phenotyping in Clinical Neurology.Seminars in neurology · 2022
    Article
  12. Observational
  13. Review
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

13 authors at 3 institutions in 1 country.

Rod M MiddletonPopulation Data Science, Swansea University Medical School, Swansea University, Swansea, United Kingdom.ORCID 0000-0002-2130-4420
Owen R PearsonDepartment of Neurology, Morriston Hospital, Swansea Bay National Health Service Trust, Swansea, United Kingdom.ORCID 0000-0002-2712-0200
Gillian IngramDepartment of Neurology, Morriston Hospital, Swansea Bay National Health Service Trust, Swansea, United Kingdom.ORCID 0000-0001-5898-9462
Elaine M CraigPopulation Data Science, Swansea University Medical School, Swansea University, Swansea, United Kingdom.ORCID 0000-0002-3432-9942
William J RodgersPopulation Data Science, Swansea University Medical School, Swansea University, Swansea, United Kingdom.ORCID 0000-0003-0757-3664
Hannah Downing-WoodDepartment of Neurology, Charing Cross Hospital, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom.ORCID 0000-0002-4360-5208
Joseph HillDepartment of Neurology, Charing Cross Hospital, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom.ORCID 0000-0003-1424-0411
Katherine Tuite-DaltonPopulation Data Science, Swansea University Medical School, Swansea University, Swansea, United Kingdom.ORCID 0000-0003-1345-0791
Christopher RobertsPopulation Data Science, Swansea University Medical School, Swansea University, Swansea, United Kingdom.ORCID 0000-0002-6350-5984
Lynne WatsonDepartment of Neurology, Morriston Hospital, Swansea Bay National Health Service Trust, Swansea, United Kingdom.ORCID 0000-0001-6324-414X
David V FordPopulation Data Science, Swansea University Medical School, Swansea University, Swansea, United Kingdom.ORCID 0000-0001-6551-721X
Richard NicholasDepartment of Neurology, Charing Cross Hospital, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom.ORCID 0000-0003-0414-1225
UK MS Register Research Group *
Swansea University · GBCharing Cross Hospital · GBNational Health Service · GB

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundIncorporating cognitive testing into routine clinical practice is a challenge in multiple sclerosis (MS), given the wide spectrum of both cognitive and physical impairments people can have and the time that testing requires. Shortened paper and verbal assessments predominate but still are not used routinely. Computer-based tests are becoming more widespread; however, changes in how a paper test is implemented can impact what exactly is being assessed in an individual. The Symbol Digit Modalities Test (SDMT) is one validated test that forms part of the cognitive batteries used in MS and has some computer-based versions. We developed a tablet-based SDMT variant that has the potential to be ultimately deployed to patients' own devices.

objectiveThis paper aims to develop, validate, and deploy a computer-based SDMT variant, the Cognition Reaction (CoRe) test, that can reliably replicate the characteristics of the paper-based SDMT.

methodsWe carried out analysis using Pearson and intraclass correlations, as well as a Bland-Altman comparison, to examine consistency between the SDMT and CoRe tests and for test-retest reliability. The SDMT and CoRe tests were evaluated for sensitivity to disability levels and age. A novel metric in CoRe was found: question answering velocity could be calculated. This was evaluated in relation to disability levels and age for people with MS and compared with a group of healthy control volunteers.

resultsSDMT and CoRe test scores were highly correlated and consistent with 1-month retest values. Lower scores were seen in patients with higher age and some effect was seen with increasing disability. There was no learning effect evident. Question answering velocity demonstrated a small increase in speed over the 90-second duration of the test in people with MS and healthy controls.

conclusionsThis study validates a computer-based alternative to the SDMT that can be used in clinics and beyond. It enables accurate recording of elements of cognition relevant in MS but offers additional metrics that may offer further value to clinicians and people with MS.

Indexed as

AdultCognition DisordersFemaleHumansMaleMiddle AgedMultiple SclerosisNeuropsychological TestsReproducibility of ResultscognitioneHealthelectronic assessmentmultiple sclerosisneurologypatient reported outcomes

Identifiers

PMID32965240
PMCPMC7542403
OpenAlexW3046306993

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.