The Survey for Memory, Attention, and Reaction Time (SMART): Preliminary normative online panel data and user attitudes for a brief web-based cognitive performance measure

Abstract

ObjectiveThe Survey for Memory, Attention, and Reaction Time (SMART) was recently introduced as a brief (<5 min), self-administered, web-based measure of cognitive performance in older adults. The purpose of this study was threefold: (1) to develop preliminary norms on the SMART; (2) to examine the relationship between demographic variables (i.e. age, sex, education), device type used, and SMART performance; and (3) to assess user attitudes of the SMART. Method A sample of 1,050 community-dwelling adults (M age =59.5 (15.2), M education = 16.5 (2.1), 67.1% female, 96% white) was recruited from an ongoing web-based research cohort. Participants completed the SMART, which consists of four face-valid cognitive tasks assessing visual memory, attention/processing speed, and executive functioning. SMART performance outcome metrics were subtest completion time (CT), click count, and total CT. Participants provided demographic information and completed a survey of user attitudes toward the SMART (i.e. usability, acceptability). Results Older age was the only demographic variable associated with slower SMART total CT (r = .60, p <.001). Education was not associated with SMART CT or click counts overall (p > .05). Male sex was generally associated with longer SMART CT (p < .001, partial eta squared = .14) on all sub-tests. Regarding acceptability, 97.3% indicated willingness to take the SMART again, with more than half willing to complete it on a weekly basis. Conclusion The preliminary normative data on the SMART indicates that it is a feasible and well-accepted web-based cognitive assessment tool that can be administered on multiple device platforms.

Keywords:

• Normative data
• cognition
• computerized testing
• cognitive screening
• technology

Acknowledgment

The authors thank the RITE volunteers, research study staff and the OHSU Layton Center for Aging & Alzheimer’s Research.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

This work was funded by the Oregon Royal Center for Care Support Translational Research Advantaged by Integrating Technology (ORCASTRAIT; PI: Kaye, eIRB 20236; supported by the National Institutes of Health, National Institute on Aging [P30-AG024978]) and the OHSU Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center (PI: Kaye, eIRB 725; supported by NIH P30-AG066518; P30-AG008017]. This work was supported in part by NIH grant AG058687; PI Hughes.