Remote, Unsupervised Functional Motor Task Evaluation in Older Adults across the United States Using the MindCrowd Electronic Cohort

ABSTRACT

COVID-19 has impacted the ability to evaluate motor function in older adults, as motor assessments typically require face-to-face interaction. One hundred seventy-seven older adults nationwide completed an unsupervised functional upper-extremity assessment at home. Data were compared to data from an independent sample of community-dwelling older adults (N = 250) assessed in lab. The effect of age on performance was similar between the in-lab and at-home groups. Practice effects were also similar. Assessing upper-extremity motor function remotely is feasible and reliable in community-dwelling older adults. This test offers a practical solution for telehealth practice and other research involving remote or geographically isolated individuals.

COI Statement

In accordance with Taylor & Francis policy and my ethical obligation as a researcher, I am reporting that I, the corresponding author, have submitted an invention disclosure to the Arizona State University Technology Transfer Office and am inquiring about a provisional patent and/or copyright on the materials reported in the enclosed paper. I have disclosed those interests fully to Taylor & Francis, and I have in place an approved plan for managing any future potential conflicts arising from the emerging intellectual property. No companies or commercialization plan exist at this time.

Human subjects approval numbers

WCG IRB Study number 20111988; Utah State University IRB Study number 4766; Arizona State University IRB Study numbers 00004214 and 00006878

Acknowledgments

We would like to acknowledge Jessica Trevino, Alaina Dettmer, Britney Hill, and Shreyas Jejurkar for the assistance in assembling the kit components.

Disclosure statement

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

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the Flinn Foundation; National Institute on Aging [K01AG047926]; Mueller Family Charitable Trust; Arizona Department of Health Services Arizona DHS in support of the Arizona Alzheimer’s Consortium.