Online reaction time tests provide insights into women’s cognitive health

Online tests of women’s response times offer insights into the cognitive function and can help fill data hids about early cognitive problems, as a result of which may shed light on the development of dementia later in life, a new study led by UCL researchers and other universities.

The new paper, published in BMJ Openbelieves that online tests can be an easy and effective way for women in the forty and older to do volunteer work for dementia prevention research from their homes instead of visiting clinics. It shows that these tests can offer researchers useful data about the cognitive functions of people by testing their reaction times.

Women have long been under -represented in healthy aging, despite the fact that they have been approved more than half of the population. We have developed an easy way to measure the cognitive function at home, without having to travel to clinics or receive home visits. Our research shows that testing the cognitive function in the house is largely acceptable, easy and convenient. “

Dr. Gareth Hagger-Johnson, main author, UCL Geography

Measuring the reaction time of a person is the easiest way to measure his cognitive function. Although the reaction time is currently not being used to screen problems with the cognitive function, existing research shows that slower response times can predict future cognitive decline and dementia.

To specifically reach women for the study, the researchers draw on data collected from participants in the UK Women’s Cohort Study, a longitudinal study originally designed to assess the health of Nutritional Health, which has been expanded to follow other women’s health components. The researchers used data collected from 2010 to 2011 during a follow -up study of 768 participants from 48 to 85 years old.

The online test measured the reactions from users to their home computers by having them tap on a number key correctly as quickly as possible in response to the number that appears on the screen. Users have also completed an online questionnaire about their health literacy, education level, general health and other properties. Feedback from the tests indicated that the participants usually found the task easy and not stressful. The distraction of pets and internet connectivity problems were the most important concerns that the participants raised.

Study restrictions

Despite the general positive reactions, the researchers warn that Bias can be introduced because of volunteer effects. Each higher level of education increased the chance of volunteering by around 7%. Likewise, women who reported as “high” intelligence, 19% were more likely to do the test than those who said they were “average” intelligence. Younger women more often tried the online tests, with estimated participation rate fell from 89% at the age of 45 to 44% at the age of 65.

Dr. Hagger-Johnson added: “Although it is clear that web-based tests of the cognitive function are valuable to researchers, it is important that we understand the limitations of non-controlled tests in the house. More effort must be made to reach vulnerable adults who do not use digital technologies.”

A surprising finding was that women who said they had lower health literacy made fewer mistakes in the response test. The researchers say that this could be because they needed longer to decide what the right answer was, a pattern that was previously observed with the older one compared to younger adults.

The study was conducted in collaboration with researchers from City St George’s, University of London, University of Leeds and Heriot-Watt University.