To evaluate the feasibility and preliminary validity of ORCA-PD as a remote, self-administered cognitive screening tool tailored for Parkinson's Disease (PD), addressing the critical need for accessible cognitive evaluations.
Key Findings:
The ORCA-PD was feasible for participants to complete outside the clinic, indicating its potential for widespread use.
Participants reported higher usability for ORCA-PD compared to MoCA, suggesting it may enhance patient engagement in cognitive assessments.
The ORCA-PD effectively distinguished between cognitively similar PD and NT groups, reinforcing its validity as a tailored assessment tool.
Interpretation:
The findings suggest that ORCA-PD is a promising tool for cognitive assessment in PD, addressing challenges of accessibility and specificity, which are critical for early detection and intervention.
Limitations:
The study included a relatively small sample size, which may affect generalizability and the robustness of findings.
Participants with PD had higher education levels than NT participants, which could influence cognitive performance and introduce bias.
Conclusion:
ORCA-PD shows potential as a valid and accessible cognitive screening tool for individuals with Parkinson's Disease, emphasizing the importance of overcoming barriers to cognitive assessment.
