Poster Session 09 Program Schedule
02/16/2024
03:30 pm - 04:45 pm
Room: Shubert Complex (Posters 1-60)
Poster Session 09: Epilepsy | Oncology | MS | Infectious Disease
Final Abstract #2
Poster Symposium: Neuropsychology in the Era of SARS-CoV-2 — Abstract 1
Global Dimensions of Neuropsychological Assessment after COVID-19
Hetta-Mari Gouse, University of Miami, Miami, United States
Jose Muñoz-Moreno, ospital Universitari Germans Trias i Pujol, Badalona, Spain
Bernice Marcopulos, James Madison University, Harrisonburg, United States
Autumn Wild, James Madison University, Harrisonburg, United States
Jennifer Chavez, University of miami, Miami, United States
Category: Other
Keyword 1: cross-cultural issues
Keyword 2: cognitive functioning
Keyword 3: assessment
Objective:
Objective: There is a lack of cross-culturally valid tests and norms for accurate epidemiological data in global diseases with neuropsychological consequences such as COVID-19. Implications include artefactual variations of neurocognitive impairment rates across world regions, systematic exclusion of certain minorities from research studies, and care inequalities. To understand how mental health professionals assess patients with neurocognitive concerns after having had COVID-19, we disseminated an online survey to neuropsychologists and other healthcare providers globally to gauge assessment methods and barriers to treatment.
Participants and Methods:
Methods: This abstract presents descriptive, cross-sectional data from N=1355 respondents to an online survey developed by the International Neuropsychological Society NeuroCOVID-19 Special Interest Group. The survey link was disseminated via professional organizations and snowballing. Respondents were given the option to take the survey in 9 different languages. Survey data were collected and managed using Qualtrics online software. Participation was voluntary and anonymous. Descriptive statistics were conducted on SPSS Version 28.0.
Results:
Results: 503 respondents from 26 countries completed the entire questionnaire. The majority of respondents were neuropsychologists. More than 42 neuropsychological tests were endorsed for use with patients with COVID-19-related neurocognitive concerns (CRNC). Clinicians used a modifiable test battery to assess patients most frequently, with the WAIS-IV and WMS-IV being used most often. Other frequently used tests are Trail Making Test A & B, Rey Complex Figure, and Stroop. Sustained attention is the most frequent typical domain of concern. Symptoms were gauged to be likely due to the virus or the treatment thereof rather than being present prior to being infected with COVID-19. The most frequently cited reason for not seeing patients with CRNC was patients referred to other professionals, most often a neurologist. The most commonly reported barriers to patients seeking treatment are limited access to healthcare clinics and poor health education. Lack of knowledge regarding how to assess for CRNC was a barrier to clinicians conducting assessments.
Conclusions:
Conclusion: Clinicians use a wide range of neuropsychological tests to assess for CRNC; and some clinicians lack the knowledge to assess for CRNC. Systemically, patients may not benefit from neuropsychological services for two reasons: 1) barriers within the healthcare referral system and 2) patient access to healthcare clinics. Standardized guidelines for the assessment of CRNC will benefit patients and clinicians alike.
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