Point-of-Care Testing Using a Neuropsychology Pocketcard Set: A Preliminary Validation Study

Abstract

Neurocognitive screening instruments usually require printed sheets and additional accessories, and can be unsuitable for low-threshold use during ward rounds or emergency workup, especially in patients with motor impairments. Here, we test the utility of a newly developed neuropsychology pocketcard set for point-of-care testing. For aphasia and neglect assessment, modified versions of the Language Screening Test and the Bells Test were validated on 63 and 60 acute stroke unit patients, respectively, against expert clinical evaluation and the original pen-and-paper Bells Test. The pocketcard aphasia test achieved an excellent area under the curve (AUC) of 0.94 (95% CI: 0.88–1, p ® test battery. Pocketcard TMT performance was significantly correlated with the original EpiTrack® versions (A: r = 0.64, p r = 0.75, p ® scores were acceptable, excellent and outstanding, respectively. Quick point-of-care testing using a pocketcard set is feasible and yields diagnostically valid information.

Keywords

• neuropsychology
• pocketcard
• aphasia
• neglect
• executive functions
• stroke