Validation of the Slovenian version of the Montreal Cognitive Assessment Scale as a screening tool for the detection of mild cognitive impairment

Špeh, Andreja (author), Kalar, Irena (author), Pirtošek, Zvezdan (author), Gregorič Kramberger, Milica (author)

Objective The Montreal cognitive assessment scale (MoCA) is commonly used for detecting individuals with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). The aim of the present study was to evaluate the validity of the Slovenian MoCA as a screening tool for MCI and to determine the optimal cut-of point to detect MCI in the elderly population. Methods Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), MoCA, and neuropsychological testing assessment were conducted on 93 individuals aged ≥ 60 years. MCI was found in 35 individuals with 58 cognitively asymptomatic controls. Cut-of values, sensitivity, and specificity of MoCA were calculated with the receiver operating characteristic curve. Results MCI and healthy individuals did not differ with respect to age and education. Healthy individuals (M = 24.5, SD = 1.7) performed significantly better on MoCA compared to MCI individuals (M = 21.4, SD = 3.2) (p < 0.001). The Cronbach’s α of MoCA as an index of internal consistency was 0.64. MoCA distinguished between healthy controls and MCI individuals with a sensitivity of 77% and specificity of 74%, using a cut-off of 23/24 points. Conclusion The Slovenian version of MoCA demonstrates an optimal cut-of value of 23/24 points for detecting older individuals with MCI. As a screening tool for MCI, its better diagnostic accuracy makes it preferable to using MMSE.

• Language: English
• Keywords: mild cognitive impairment, MoCA, screening, cognition, elderly
• Work type: Article
• Typology: 1.01 - Original Scientific Article
• Organization: MF - Faculty of Medicine
• Publication status: Published
• Publication version: Version of Record
• Year: 2024
• Number of pages: Str. 543–547
• Numbering: Vol. 124, iss. 2
• PID: 20.500.12556/RUL-156149
• UDC: 616.853
• ISSN on article: 2240-2993
• DOI: 10.1007/s13760-024-02487-z
• COBISS.SI-ID: 189553411
• Publication date in RUL: 10.05.2024

Record is a part of a journal

• Title: Acta neurologica Belgica
• Shortened title: Acta neurol. Belg.
• Publisher: Springer Nature, Belgian Neurological Society
• ISSN: 2240-2993
• COBISS.SI-ID: 525330713

Licences

• License: CC BY 4.0, Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International
• Link: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
• Description: This is the standard Creative Commons license that gives others maximum freedom to do what they want with the work as long as they credit the author.

Secondary language

• Language: Slovenian
• Keywords: Montrealska lestvica spoznavnih sposobnosti