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    Teleneuropsychology in the time of COVID-19: The experience of The Australian Epilepsy Project

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    Author
    Tailby, C; Collins, AJ; Vaughan, DN; Abbott, DF; O'Shea, M; Helmstaedter, C; Jackson, GD
    Date
    2020-12-01
    Source Title
    Seizure: European Journal of Epilepsy
    Publisher
    W B SAUNDERS CO LTD
    University of Melbourne Author/s
    Tailby, Christopher; Jackson, Graeme; Vaughan, David
    Affiliation
    Melbourne School of Psychological Sciences
    Florey Department of Neuroscience and Mental Health
    Metadata
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    Document Type
    Journal Article
    Citations
    Tailby, C., Collins, A. J., Vaughan, D. N., Abbott, D. F., O'Shea, M., Helmstaedter, C. & Jackson, G. D. (2020). Teleneuropsychology in the time of COVID-19: The experience of The Australian Epilepsy Project. SEIZURE-EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF EPILEPSY, 83, pp.89-97. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.seizure.2020.10.005.
    Access Status
    Access this item via the Open Access location
    URI
    http://hdl.handle.net/11343/254471
    DOI
    10.1016/j.seizure.2020.10.005
    Open Access URL
    https://europepmc.org/articles/PMC7561524?pdf=render
    Open Access at PMC
    http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7561524
    Abstract
    PURPOSE: Traditional neuropsychological testing carries elevated COVID-19 risk for both examinee and examiner. Here we describe how the pilot study of the Australian Epilepsy Project (AEP) has transitioned to tele-neuropsychology (teleNP), enabling continued safe operations during the pandemic. METHODS: The AEP includes adults (age 18-60) with a first unprovoked seizure, new diagnosis of epilepsy or drug resistant focal epilepsy. Shortly after launching the study, COVID-related restrictions necessitated adaptation to teleNP, including delivery of verbal tasks via videoconference; visual stimulus delivery via document camera; use of web-hosted, computerised assessment; substitution of oral versions for written tests; online delivery of questionnaires; and discontinuation of telehealth incompatible tasks. RESULTS: To date, we have completed 24 teleNP assessments: 18 remotely (participant in own home) and six on-site (participant using equipment at research facility). Five face-to-face assessments were conducted prior to the transition to teleNP. Eight of 408 tests administered via teleNP (1.9 %) have been invalidated, for a variety of reasons (technical, procedural, environmental). Data confirm typical patterns of epilepsy-related deficits (p < .05) affecting processing speed, executive function, language and memory. Questionnaire responses indicate elevated rates of patients at high risk of mood (34 %) and anxiety disorder (38 %). CONCLUSION: Research teleNP assessments reveal a typical pattern of impairments in epilepsy. A range of issues must be considered when introducing teleNP, such as technical and administrative set up, test selection and delivery, and cohort suitability. TeleNP enables large-scale neuropsychological research during periods of social distancing (and beyond), and offers an opportunity to expand the reach and breadth of neuropsychological services.

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