Digital neuropsychology: Challenges and opportunities at the intersection of science and software

Abstract

Objective: Digital devices are now broadly accessible and have the capacity to measure aspects of human behavior with high precision and accuracy, in a standardized manner. The purpose of this article is to characterize opportunities and barriers for modern digital neuropsychology, particularly those that are unique to digital assessment.

Methods: We provide a critical overview of the state-of-the-art in digital neuropsychology, focusing on personal digital devices.

Results: We identify three major barriers associated with digital neuropsychology, which affect both the interpretation of test scores and test norms: (1) variability in the perceptual, motor and cognitive demands of the same test across digital device classes (e.g. personal computer, tablet and smartphone); (2) hardware and software variability between devices within the same class that affect stimulus presentation and measurement and (3) rapid changes over time in hardware, software and device ownership, which can lead to rapid obsolescence of particular tests and test norms. We offer specific recommendations to address these barriers and outline new opportunities to understand and measure neuropsychological functioning over time and in everyday environments.

Conclusions: Digital neuropsychology provides new approaches for measuring and monitoring neuropsychological functioning, informed by an understanding of the limitations and potential of digital technology.

Keywords:

• Mobile health
• web-based assessment
• digital neuropsychology
• computerized assessment
• digital technology

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).