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Assessing Cognition Remotely: Expanding the Reach of Cognitive Testing for Older Adults at Risk for Dementia in a Randomized Controlled Trial
A Steeves, Karla J. Faig, Chris A. McGibbon, Andrew Sexton, Pamela G. Jarrett. Canadian Geriatrics Journal, 2025-03-05
Topic: Risk, prevention and care in population studies
Little is known about whether cognitive assessments can be completed remotely by older adults at risk for dementia, and there is no consensus on which tool is best. The SYNchronising Exercises, Remedies in GaIt and Cognition at Home (SYNERGIC@Home) study evaluated the feasibility of a home-based, double-blind, randomized-controlled trial to improve gait and cognition in individuals at risk for dementia. This paper reports a secondary analytic outcome of the cognitive tests used. The three aims were: 1) to examine whether the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA 8.1 Audiovisual), Cognitive- Functional Composite2 (CFC2), and Telephone Cognitive Screen (T-CogS) could be administered remotely; 2) to compare each tool; 3) to evaluate changes in cognition following the intervention. Sixty participants were randomized to one of four physical/cognitive exercise intervention arms, with 52 participants completing the intervention. Cognitive tests were done in the homes of participants via Zoom for Healthcare™. All 52 participants completed the assessments. The interquartile range (IQR) for the MoCA was 4, the CFC2 was 8, and the T-CogS was 1. At baseline, 11.5% scored perfectly on the MoCA, 0% scored perfectly on the CFC2, and 62% scored perfectly on the T-CogS. Scores on the MoCA (p=.076), CFC2 (p=.053), and T-CogS (p=.281) were not statistically significantly different from baseline to post-intervention. This study demonstrates that these cognitive tests can be administered remotely, with the MoCA and the CFC2 being the most sensitive to variability in scores.
Key findings
- Scores on the MoCA (p=.076), CFC2 (p=.053), and T-CogS (p=.281) were not statistically significantly different from baseline to post-intervention.
Why it matters
In this secondary analysis of a randomized controlled trial, 52 participants at risk for dementia completed cognitive tests remotely via Zoom, and scores on the MoCA, CFC2, and T-CogS did not change significantly from baseline to post-intervention. The study addresses feasibility of remote cognitive testing, not treatment or prevention of dementia.
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Study details
- Participants52
- Effect size11.5%
- Evidence strengthHigh
How this study scored 46/100
Published in a peer-reviewed journal. Scored zero for study design because the record does not state it.
| Component | Points | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Journal tier | 7 / 10 | Tier 3 — peer-reviewed journal (Canadian Geriatrics Journal) |
| Journal's citation record | 0 / 4 | Canadian Geriatrics Journal: journal h-index 40 (OpenAlex, 2026-10-29) |
| Study design | 0 / 12 | No study design recorded — scores zero, not guessed (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Strength of evidence | 5 / 5 | Rated “high” in our summary |
| Peer-review validation | 10 / 10 | Peer-reviewed. Published as an article in a named peer-reviewed journal. |
| How recent | 4 / 5 | 2025 — within 3 year(s) of the newest study here |
| Sample size | 1 / 4 | 52 participants |
| Effect reported | 2 / 3 | Effect reported as a number, without an interval or test |
| Studied in people | 3 / 3 | Studied in people (participant count stated) |
| Randomised / blinded | 1 / 2 | Randomised (as stated in the record) |
| Times cited | 1 / 7 | Cited 3 times (OpenAlex, 2026-10-10) |
| Citations per year | 1 / 5 | 1.0 citations a year over 3 year(s) since 2025 |
| Impact for its field and year | 2 / 6 | Cited 1.9× the average for papers of its field and year (OpenAlex FWCI) |
| Cited by studies here | 0 / 6 | No other study in this library cites it |
| Still being cited | 1 / 4 | Cited 3 times in 2024–2026 (2026 still in progress; OpenAlex) |
| Senior author's track record | 1 / 4 | Last-listed author Pamela G. Jarrett: h-index 10 (OpenAlex, whole career) |
| Institution's track record | 1 / 3 | Dalhousie University: institution h-index 778 (OpenAlex) |
| Multi-centre collaboration | 2 / 3 | OpenAlex lists 4 institution(s) in 1 country |
| Indexed in PubMed | 2 / 2 | Indexed in PubMed (PMID 40051592) |
| Free to read | 2 / 2 | Free to read |
| Total | 46 / 100 | — |
What each of these 20 components measures, and what this score is not →
Read the original
- DOI: 10.5770/cgj.28.790
- PubMed: 40051592
- Original source →
- Free full text: Canadian Geriatrics Journal →
Full text: free to read — OpenAlex lists this copy as free to read: the link above (checked 6 Feb 1020).
Cite this study APA, Vancouver, BibTeX · download .bib or .ris
Built from the record alzhub holds for this paper, not looked up. Volume, issue and page numbers are not held in the record. Check the citation against the original before you use it.
APA 7th
Steeves, A., Faig, K. J., McGibbon, C. A., Sexton, A., & Jarrett, P. G. (2025). Assessing Cognition Remotely: Expanding the Reach of Cognitive Testing for Older Adults at Risk for Dementia in a Randomized Controlled Trial. Canadian Geriatrics Journal. https://doi.org/10.5770/cgj.28.790
Vancouver
Steeves A, Faig KJ, McGibbon CA, Sexton A, Jarrett PG. Assessing Cognition Remotely: Expanding the Reach of Cognitive Testing for Older Adults at Risk for Dementia in a Randomized Controlled Trial. Canadian Geriatrics Journal. 2025. doi:10.5770/cgj.28.790. PMID: 40051592.
BibTeX
@article{steeves2025-40051592,
author = {Steeves, A and Faig, Karla J. and McGibbon, Chris A. and Sexton, Andrew and Jarrett, Pamela G.},
title = {{Assessing Cognition Remotely: Expanding the Reach of Cognitive Testing for Older Adults at Risk for Dementia in a Randomized Controlled Trial}},
journal = {Canadian Geriatrics Journal},
year = {2025},
doi = {10.5770/cgj.28.790},
pmid = {40051592},
url = {https://doi.org/10.5770/cgj.28.790}
}
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