Innovative methods for remote assessment of neurobehavioral development

Abstract

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, research institutions across the globe have modified their operations in ways that have limited or eliminated the amount of permissible in-person research interaction. In order to prevent the loss of important developmentally-timed data during the pandemic, researchers have quickly pivoted and developed innovative methods for remote assessment of research participants. In this manuscript, we describe methods developed for remote assessment of a parent child cohort with a focus on examining the perinatal environment, behavioral and biological indicators of child neurobehavioral development, parent-child interaction, as well as parent and child mental and physical health. We include recommendations relevant to adapting in-laboratory assessments for remote data collection and conclude with a description of the successful dissemination of the methods to eight research sites across the United States, each of whom are involved in Phase 1 of the HEALthy Brain and Child Development (HBCD) Study. These remote methods were born out of pandemic-related necessity; however, they have much wider applicability and may offer advantages over in-laboratory neurodevelopmental assessments.

Keywords: Biospecimens; COVID-19; HEALthy Brain and Child Development (HBCD) Study; Infant neurobehavior; Negative affect; Remote data collection methods.

Fig. 1

Example Images of Remote Behavioral Assessment. Prior to the remote visit participants are provided with example images. (A) The recommended positioning of the video enabled device for still face and arm restraint task which captures both a head-on view of the child and at least a profile view of the parent throughout the tasks. (B-C) Images of the still face paradigm. (D-E) Images of the arm restraint task. (F) The recommended positioning of the video enabled device relative to the parent-child dyad for the free-play task and (G) an example image of the free play task.

Fig. 2

Blood Microsampling Techniques. Innovative methods for remote blood collection such as the Mitra Blood Collection Kit by Neoteryx (Torrance, CA, https://www.neoteryx.com/) (panels A-D) and Tasso SST OnDemand devices (Tasso, Inc., Seattle, WA, https://www.tassoinc.com/tasso-sst) (panels E-H) facilitate sampling of capillary blood from participants. (A) The Mitra™ volumetric absorbent microsampler is a polymer-based cartridge which absorbs a controlled volume of blood (up to 30 uls) of capillary blood from a finger-prick via a lancet. (B-C) The tip of the cartridge is dipped into the finger‐prick blood spot, and blood is adsorbed into the tip in a few seconds. (D) The tips are then air‐dried at room temperature. (E) The participant applies the Tasso SST OnDemand devices to their upper arm using a light adhesive. (F) The participant then presses a button that causes a vacuum to form and a lancet to prick the surface of the skin. (G) The vacuum draws blood out of the capillaries and into the sample collection tube attached to the bottom of the device. (H) The sample can then be centrifuged to obtain serum.