![]() ![]() On the whole, studies demonstrated many advantages of videoconferencing in clinical practice: it makes it easier for patients to access medical care and permits saving essential resources (e.g., time and money) patients live it as a positive experience, as also demonstrated in other medical services and care. Similarly, studies involving veterans troubled by dementia found that they were more satisfied with the possibility of performing a neuropsychological assessment by video conference rather than travelling to the clinic themselves. Several studies have demonstrated that the elderly prefer the remote setting, especially if they live in isolated areas with insufficient health care resources, suffer of physical and motor limitations, and experience economic constraints. Situational and personal factors influence patients’ preference for remote settings. In addition, another study carried out on American Indians as well, demonstrated the remote setting feasibility and reliability. According to a pre-pandemic study of American Indians living in rural areas, some patients with cognitive impairments and their families preferred remote neuropsychological assessment over face-to-face assessment. Previous research has shown that online assessment is a reliable alternative for diagnosing neurocognitive and degenerative disorders, such as mild cognitive impairment (MCI), preclinical dementia, as well as in healthy population assessment and Alzheimer’s disease. Specifically, they have had to reorganise clinical settings by switching from face-to-face to remote communication via videoconferencing. In this context, neuropsychologists have resorted to alternative methods to conduct assessments, rehabilitation, and cognitive stimulation in clinical and research contexts. Emergency has led to several changes in our daily life and work habits. The COVID-19 pandemic has prompted governments worldwide to establish mandatory rules to avoid infection, such as using personal protective equipment (e.g., wearing a mask) and social distancing. The present study provides a reference for the clinical use of neuropsychological instruments to assess verbal memory in a remote setting and offers specific recommendations. Their comparison with published norms shows a medium to high agreement between systems. This research provides specific norms that consider the influence of demographic characteristics. Two hundred and four healthy Italian volunteers performed three verbal memory tests through the Google Meet platform: the Digit Span (Backward and Forward), the Rey Auditory Verbal Learning, and the Verbal Paired Associated Learning Test. The study aimed to develop normative data for the online assessment of neuropsychological memory tests and to compare it with the published norms obtained in standard settings. Consequently, this change brought about the need for new normative data tailored to remote settings. Psychologists and neuropsychologists had to modify their settings to assess patients’ abilities, switching from an in-person modality to a remote setting by using video calling platforms. The COVID-19 pandemic has forced significant changes in clinical practice. ![]()
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