Tablet-based assessment protocol for cognition: development and preliminary usability testing of a cognitive screening tool

Introduction: Computerized cognitive screening offers several advantages over traditional paper-and-pencil methods, including standardized administration, automated scoring, and scalable deployment. Touchscreen-based tools provide an intuitive and accessible interface for digital screening in both clinical and non-clinical contexts. However, there is continued interest in developing brief digital home-deliverable screening tools that encompass multiple cognitive domains and in systematically addressing usability during tool development. Methods: This paper presents the development and preliminary usability evaluation of TAP-COG, a tablet-based cognitive screening tool assessing processing speed, sustained attention, inhibitory control, short-term memory, and resistance to interference. TAP-COG comprises five self-administered tasks-Visual Reaction Time, Go/No-Go, Visual Recognition, Simon, and Interference-optimized for tablet interaction, requiring approximately 30 min to complete. Key performance metrics (reaction time, accuracy, errors) are automatically recorded. We conducted a usability study with 80 healthy adults (mean ± SD age: 40.75 ± 17.72; Montreal Cognitive Assessment: 28.45 ± 1.72) using the System Usability Scale. Results: All participants completed the battery independently and reported clear instructions and ease of use. Overall, 80% rated usability as "good" to "excellent," with no significant influence of age, education levels, or cognitive status on usability ratings. Conclusion: TAP-COG demonstrates high usability, supporting its potential as a scalable, self-administered cognitive screening tool. These findings justify further validation in larger and more diverse populations and highlight TAP-COG's promise for both research and clinical applications.