Feasibility of an Online, Self-administered Cognitive Screening Tool in Older Patients Undergoing Ambulatory Surgery

NCT ID: NCT05094817

Last Updated: 2024-04-24

Study Results

Results pending

The study team has not published outcome measurements, participant flow, or safety data for this trial yet. Check back later for updates.

Basic Information

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Recruitment Status

COMPLETED

Total Enrollment

78 participants

Study Classification

OBSERVATIONAL

Study Start Date

2022-02-11

Study Completion Date

2023-07-21

Brief Summary

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Delirium is common in older adults after inpatient surgery and may be associated with cognitive decline. Advances in surgical and anesthetic techniques have led to increasing numbers of older adults undergoing surgery on an outpatient basis. However, few studies have investigated cognitive disorders of older adults before or after ambulatory surgery. Increased age and pre-existing cognitive impairment are strong risk factors for cognitive decline after surgery, yet older adults are not screened for cognitive impairment before surgery. Existing screening tools require specially trained staff for test administration and in-person testing. Virtual cognitive screening has not been evaluated in surgical patients. In this study, investigators will determine the feasibility of using Cogniciti's Brain Health Assessment (BHA) - a validated online cognitive screening tool that can be self-administered from a patient's home before surgery - to screen older adults before ambulatory surgery.

Detailed Description

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Older adults (≥60 years of age) are the fastest growing age group in Canada, and by the year 2026, will constitute more than 1 of every 5 Canadians. World-wide, about 703 million people are ≥65 years of age, and this number is projected to double to 1.5 billion in 2050. Higher life expectancy and advancements in anesthetic techniques have led to more older adults with high burdens of co-morbidities to undergo ambulatory surgeries.

Approximately 40-53% of all surgeries performed are on patients \>65 years of age. Neurocognitive disorders (NCD) are common in the community with 14-48% of those \>age 70 years suffering mild cognitive impairment (MCI).

Impairments in cognitive ability are the most common complications in older adults undergoing major surgery. These impairments include 1) delirium (which may last up to 7 days after surgery), 2) delayed neurocognitive recovery (cognitive decline up to 30 days after surgery) 3) Neurocognitive disorder (postoperative) mild or major (30 days to 12 months after surgery). The decline in executive function, memory, and other cognitive domains may last for weeks to months after surgery. While most patients recover from cognitive impairment, a small minority of patients have persistent impairment. Older adults who are diagnosed with PND have longer hospital length of stay, are less likely to be discharged home, increased health care costs, and a higher incidence of mortality at one year after surgery.

Investigators hypothesize that it is feasible to utilize the BHA to screen for NCDs, and to assess cognitive changes in elderly patients undergoing elective ambulatory surgery.

Conditions

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Delirium in Old Age Alzheimer Disease Mild Cognitive Impairment Neurocognitive Disorders

Study Design

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Observational Model Type

COHORT

Study Time Perspective

PROSPECTIVE

Study Groups

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Access to Computer

Participants completing the BHA should be at least somewhat comfortable or very comfortable with using a computer and mouse and should use a computer at least once a week.

Brain Health Assessment

Intervention Type OTHER

BHA is a free, self-administered online cognitive screening test developed in Toronto at Baycrest (www.cogniciti.com). BHA has been validated against a gold standard neuropsychological assessment for detecting amnestic MCI (aMCI) - the most common type of MCI - in community dwelling older adults. BHA has high sensitivity (.78), specificity (.78), PPV (.82), NPV (.74), and was better than MoCA for identifying aMCI. ROC curves showed an AUC of 0.75 for detecting aMCI from normal subjects. BHA measures memory and executive attention processes sensitive to subtle cognitive changes associated with normal aging and MCI. BHA can be completed from a patient's home or can be self-administered in hospital.

Demographics questionnaire

Intervention Type OTHER

To compare the sociodemographic characteristics of patients completing Cogniciti's BHA vs. those who are not able to complete the BHA.

PHQ-2

Intervention Type OTHER

PHQ-2 is a shortened version of PHQ-9 which is originally a component of the longer Patient Health Questionnaire. The tool incorporates DSM-IV depression criteria and other leading major depressive symptoms into brief self-reported instruments. PHQ-2 inquires about the degree to which an individual experiences depression and anhedonia (inability to feel pleasure) over the past two weeks. The tool is not for final diagnosis of depression or monitoring its severity but only for the purpose of screening for the condition.The questionnaire comprises of the first two questions from PHQ-9, each item is scored 0-3. Therefore, the PHQ-2 score ranges from 0-6.

AFT

Intervention Type OTHER

AFT is a free, rapid cognitive assessment commonly used to assess semantic language ability. Language is one of the earliest functions affected by AD and naming and semantical knowledge seems to be particularly affected. The identification of language deficits may pick up signs of neurological decline preceding the appearance of clinical symptoms. Milder forms of cognitive impairment such as MCI may also show language deficits if language is one of the domains affected.

GAI-SF

Intervention Type OTHER

GAI-SF is a 5-item questionnaire derived from the original 20-item Geriatric Anxiety Inventory (GAI).In the population of community dwelling older women GAI-SF was developed in, a cut-off score of 3 yields a specificity of 87% and sensitivity of 75%. This highly accessible questionnaire is suitable for everyday use in a range of health-care settings. It has been employed amongst older adults in primary care settings, nursing homes, geriatric psychiatry patients and amongst clinical geriatric participants with co-morbid anxiety and unipolar mood disorder and their controls.

pain VAS

Intervention Type OTHER

The VAS is a unidimensional measure of pain intensity. The VAS tries to measure a continuous characteristic or attitude signifying the intensity or frequency of symptoms. The scale ranges from 0-10, with 0 = no pain to 10 = worst pain.

IADL

Intervention Type OTHER

Instrumental activities such as preparing meals or managing finances allow individuals to maintain their health while living on their own. The IADL measures the ability of older adults to manage their daily activities, as well as the impact, if any, cognitive decline would have on these activities. Scores range from 0-5 for men, and 0-8 for women, with higher sores being more independent and higher functioning.

FAM CAM

Intervention Type OTHER

FAM-CAM was derived from the CAM instrument in order to screen for delirium by interviewing family members or caregivers of the patient. They are asked specific questions about any new or sudden changes in the patient's activity, behavioural or cognitive status. FAM-CAM showed good sensitivity and specificity in the original study where caregivers of elderly patients with pre-existing cognitive impairment were interviewed.

4AT

Intervention Type OTHER

The 4AT is a rapid tool for delirium detection that has previously been used in a surgical setting. The 4Ats test for the patient's alertness, mental state, attention, and signs of acute change. Across 17 studies, the pooled sensitivity and specificity of 4AT was 0.86 and 0.89. The 4AT will be administered after the patient has completed surgery, prior to discharge.

BHA Usability Survey

Intervention Type OTHER

The survey aims to assess system usability and acceptability based on standard questions adapted from the validated System Usability Scale. The questions evaluate satisfaction, experience with technology, and comfort level, as well as questions targeting usability concerns typically experienced by older adults, such as typeface and font size, consistent navigation, and writing style.

Clinical Frailty Scale

Intervention Type OTHER

CFS is a 9-item scale that uses clinical descriptors and pictographs and is an easily applicable tool to stratify older adults according to level of vulnerability. The CFS divides patients into 9 classes from very fit (CFS = 1) to terminally ill (CFS = 9). It is easy to use and may readily be administered in a clinical setting, an advantage over the tools previously developed. The scale helps in objective early identification of older adults with frailty in acute care units and helps to target interventions to prevent complications and to implement effective discharge planning.

No Access to Computer

Since participants in previous studies on cognitive screening are usually more educated individuals with higher income, participants who do not have proficiency/or access to a computer will be asked to complete some questionnaires to determine any sociodemographic or baseline differences between patients who are able to complete BHA vs. those who are not able to complete BHA.

Demographics questionnaire

Intervention Type OTHER

To compare the sociodemographic characteristics of patients completing Cogniciti's BHA vs. those who are not able to complete the BHA.

PHQ-2

Intervention Type OTHER

PHQ-2 is a shortened version of PHQ-9 which is originally a component of the longer Patient Health Questionnaire. The tool incorporates DSM-IV depression criteria and other leading major depressive symptoms into brief self-reported instruments. PHQ-2 inquires about the degree to which an individual experiences depression and anhedonia (inability to feel pleasure) over the past two weeks. The tool is not for final diagnosis of depression or monitoring its severity but only for the purpose of screening for the condition.The questionnaire comprises of the first two questions from PHQ-9, each item is scored 0-3. Therefore, the PHQ-2 score ranges from 0-6.

AFT

Intervention Type OTHER

AFT is a free, rapid cognitive assessment commonly used to assess semantic language ability. Language is one of the earliest functions affected by AD and naming and semantical knowledge seems to be particularly affected. The identification of language deficits may pick up signs of neurological decline preceding the appearance of clinical symptoms. Milder forms of cognitive impairment such as MCI may also show language deficits if language is one of the domains affected.

GAI-SF

Intervention Type OTHER

GAI-SF is a 5-item questionnaire derived from the original 20-item Geriatric Anxiety Inventory (GAI).In the population of community dwelling older women GAI-SF was developed in, a cut-off score of 3 yields a specificity of 87% and sensitivity of 75%. This highly accessible questionnaire is suitable for everyday use in a range of health-care settings. It has been employed amongst older adults in primary care settings, nursing homes, geriatric psychiatry patients and amongst clinical geriatric participants with co-morbid anxiety and unipolar mood disorder and their controls.

pain VAS

Intervention Type OTHER

The VAS is a unidimensional measure of pain intensity. The VAS tries to measure a continuous characteristic or attitude signifying the intensity or frequency of symptoms. The scale ranges from 0-10, with 0 = no pain to 10 = worst pain.

IADL

Intervention Type OTHER

Instrumental activities such as preparing meals or managing finances allow individuals to maintain their health while living on their own. The IADL measures the ability of older adults to manage their daily activities, as well as the impact, if any, cognitive decline would have on these activities. Scores range from 0-5 for men, and 0-8 for women, with higher sores being more independent and higher functioning.

Interventions

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Brain Health Assessment

BHA is a free, self-administered online cognitive screening test developed in Toronto at Baycrest (www.cogniciti.com). BHA has been validated against a gold standard neuropsychological assessment for detecting amnestic MCI (aMCI) - the most common type of MCI - in community dwelling older adults. BHA has high sensitivity (.78), specificity (.78), PPV (.82), NPV (.74), and was better than MoCA for identifying aMCI. ROC curves showed an AUC of 0.75 for detecting aMCI from normal subjects. BHA measures memory and executive attention processes sensitive to subtle cognitive changes associated with normal aging and MCI. BHA can be completed from a patient's home or can be self-administered in hospital.

Intervention Type OTHER

Demographics questionnaire

To compare the sociodemographic characteristics of patients completing Cogniciti's BHA vs. those who are not able to complete the BHA.

Intervention Type OTHER

PHQ-2

PHQ-2 is a shortened version of PHQ-9 which is originally a component of the longer Patient Health Questionnaire. The tool incorporates DSM-IV depression criteria and other leading major depressive symptoms into brief self-reported instruments. PHQ-2 inquires about the degree to which an individual experiences depression and anhedonia (inability to feel pleasure) over the past two weeks. The tool is not for final diagnosis of depression or monitoring its severity but only for the purpose of screening for the condition.The questionnaire comprises of the first two questions from PHQ-9, each item is scored 0-3. Therefore, the PHQ-2 score ranges from 0-6.

Intervention Type OTHER

AFT

AFT is a free, rapid cognitive assessment commonly used to assess semantic language ability. Language is one of the earliest functions affected by AD and naming and semantical knowledge seems to be particularly affected. The identification of language deficits may pick up signs of neurological decline preceding the appearance of clinical symptoms. Milder forms of cognitive impairment such as MCI may also show language deficits if language is one of the domains affected.

Intervention Type OTHER

GAI-SF

GAI-SF is a 5-item questionnaire derived from the original 20-item Geriatric Anxiety Inventory (GAI).In the population of community dwelling older women GAI-SF was developed in, a cut-off score of 3 yields a specificity of 87% and sensitivity of 75%. This highly accessible questionnaire is suitable for everyday use in a range of health-care settings. It has been employed amongst older adults in primary care settings, nursing homes, geriatric psychiatry patients and amongst clinical geriatric participants with co-morbid anxiety and unipolar mood disorder and their controls.

Intervention Type OTHER

pain VAS

The VAS is a unidimensional measure of pain intensity. The VAS tries to measure a continuous characteristic or attitude signifying the intensity or frequency of symptoms. The scale ranges from 0-10, with 0 = no pain to 10 = worst pain.

Intervention Type OTHER

IADL

Instrumental activities such as preparing meals or managing finances allow individuals to maintain their health while living on their own. The IADL measures the ability of older adults to manage their daily activities, as well as the impact, if any, cognitive decline would have on these activities. Scores range from 0-5 for men, and 0-8 for women, with higher sores being more independent and higher functioning.

Intervention Type OTHER

FAM CAM

FAM-CAM was derived from the CAM instrument in order to screen for delirium by interviewing family members or caregivers of the patient. They are asked specific questions about any new or sudden changes in the patient's activity, behavioural or cognitive status. FAM-CAM showed good sensitivity and specificity in the original study where caregivers of elderly patients with pre-existing cognitive impairment were interviewed.

Intervention Type OTHER

4AT

The 4AT is a rapid tool for delirium detection that has previously been used in a surgical setting. The 4Ats test for the patient's alertness, mental state, attention, and signs of acute change. Across 17 studies, the pooled sensitivity and specificity of 4AT was 0.86 and 0.89. The 4AT will be administered after the patient has completed surgery, prior to discharge.

Intervention Type OTHER

BHA Usability Survey

The survey aims to assess system usability and acceptability based on standard questions adapted from the validated System Usability Scale. The questions evaluate satisfaction, experience with technology, and comfort level, as well as questions targeting usability concerns typically experienced by older adults, such as typeface and font size, consistent navigation, and writing style.

Intervention Type OTHER

Clinical Frailty Scale

CFS is a 9-item scale that uses clinical descriptors and pictographs and is an easily applicable tool to stratify older adults according to level of vulnerability. The CFS divides patients into 9 classes from very fit (CFS = 1) to terminally ill (CFS = 9). It is easy to use and may readily be administered in a clinical setting, an advantage over the tools previously developed. The scale helps in objective early identification of older adults with frailty in acute care units and helps to target interventions to prevent complications and to implement effective discharge planning.

Intervention Type OTHER

Eligibility Criteria

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Inclusion Criteria

* Adults (≥65 years old)
* Undergoing elective ambulatory surgery
* Participants must be competent to provide informed consent,
* Be proficient in English (Grade 6 reading level)
* Have cognitive, visual, and physical capability necessary to complete the questionnaires and/or online assessment tool.
* Participants completing the BHA should be at least somewhat comfortable or very comfortable with using a computer and mouse and should use a computer at least once a week.

Exclusion Criteria

* Inability to speak, read or understand English
* Previous intracranial surgery
* A previous diagnosis of major NCD e.g. dementia, and current significant uncontrolled psychiatric disorders.
Minimum Eligible Age

65 Years

Eligible Sex

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Sponsors

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University Health Network, Toronto

OTHER

Sponsor Role collaborator

Women's College Hospital

OTHER

Sponsor Role lead

Responsible Party

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Responsibility Role SPONSOR

Principal Investigators

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Jean Wong, MD

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Women's College Hospital

Locations

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Toronto Western Hospital

Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Site Status

Countries

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Canada

Other Identifiers

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2020-0155-E

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id

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