Establishing the consistency of a voice recognition symbol digit modalities test analogue

Abstract

Background: We previously demonstrated the convergent validity of a fully automated voice recognition analogue of the Symbol Digit Modalities Test (VR-SDMT) for evaluating processing speed in people with multiple sclerosis (pwMS). Objective/Methods: We aimed to replicate these results in 54 pwMS and 18 healthy controls (HCs), demonstrating the VR-SDMT’s reliability. Results: Significant correlations were found between the VR-SDMT and the traditional oral SDMT in the multiple sclerosis (MS) (r = −0.771, p < 0.001) and HC (r = −0.785, p < 0.001) groups. Conclusion: Taken collectively, our two studies demonstrate the reliability and validity of the VR-SDMT for assessing processing speed in pwMS.