Comparative Evaluation of Psychophysiological State in Psychologists vs. Tablet-Based Administration of the Mini-Mental Test Through Thermal Imaging

Dementia affects millions of people worldwide, placing a significant burden on healthcare systems. Early and accurate diagnosis is crucial for managing the disease, with clinical tests like the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) playing a key role. To alleviate pressure on healthcare resources and support telemedicine, remote administration of such tests through artificial agents must be explored. However, different administration modalities may evoke varying psychophysiological responses in patients. This study aims to evaluate the feasibility of administering the MMSE via a tablet and compare the psychophysiological responses elicited by tablet-based and psychologist-led administration. Contactless technologies, such as thermography, are used to measure these responses, providing valuable insight into stress and engagement. The Wilcoxon signed rank test delivered a lower engagement state (zval=-3.895, p=9.84·10-5) during the psychologist-administered MMSE when compare with the tablet-based administration. The study explores the potential for tablet-based MMSE administration, demonstrating its reliability and fostering the shifting to digital methods.