Introduction. The addition onto the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) of the Memory Index Score (MoCA MIS) has enabled the use of the MoCA for screening of memory impairment through this MoCA...Show moreIntroduction. The addition onto the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) of the Memory Index Score (MoCA MIS) has enabled the use of the MoCA for screening of memory impairment through this MoCA MIS. This MoCA MIS has been little compared with a neuropsychological measure of memory. A comparison which would indicate the level to which (parts of) the MoCA would measure the cognitive domain of memory. The current study aimed to examine whether one part of the MoCA MIS could predict this domain of memory, whether the MoCA MIS predict this as well, and whether the prediction of memory due this specific part of the MoCA MIS could be improved upon through the addition of the rest of the MoCA MIS. Method. A cross-sectional design is used, within a sample of neuropsychiatric patients of an outpatient care clinic (n =22). The MoCA delayed recall trial, MoCA MIS, MoCA MIS points due to MoCA delayed recall trial, and MoCA MIS points due to the combined cued recall/recognition trials are the independent variables. The dependent variable is the AVLT delayed recall trial. Simple regression and hierarchical regression is used to examine the assumed predictive relationship. Results. The MoCA delayed recall and the MoCA MIS, each significantly predicted performance on the AVLT delayed recall. The prediction of the AVLT delayed recall trial with the points due to the MoCA delayed recall trial, did not improve significantly through the addition of the MIS points due to the combined cued recall/recognition trials. Discussion. Limitations in sample size, sample composition and the outcome measures restrict the generalization of the results. In spite of the limitations of the current study, the current study's results might reflect that the raw MoCA delayed recall score could potentially be as informative as the MoCA MIS when estimating a patient's future performance on a verbal memory test. Though within clinical practice, relevant cut-offs or other normative data should be utilized when using to screen for, or when estimating (memory) impairment, with the MoCA/MoCA MIS.Show less
The Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) has become widely used as a brief test of cognitive function in patients with neurological disease. The aim of this study is to adapt the MoCA into a...Show moreThe Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) has become widely used as a brief test of cognitive function in patients with neurological disease. The aim of this study is to adapt the MoCA into a videoconference version (eMoCA) and test it for equivalence to the MoCA administered as part of usual care, i.e., face-to-face, for test-retest reliability in Parkinson patients and assess the practical implementation of the protocol for the videoconference version. To achieve this, we conducted a feasibility study to examine the feasibility of remotely administering the MoCA to individuals with Parkinson’s disease. The study involved 10 participants with Parkinson’s disease, who underwent in-person and remote assessments using video conferencing. To establish the reliability of the eMoCA the Intraclass Correlation Coefficients (ICC) and the Cronbach’s Alpha were calculated. To see if the MoCA and the eMoCA are equivalent to each other, the equivalence test was performed. Feedback questionnaires were used to obtain feedback from the participants and the assessors on how they felt about experiencing the eMoCA. The ICC (2,1) was .87 ((95% CI: .53, .97); p = .002) and the Cronbach’s Alpha was .68. The results showed that administering the eMoCA to individuals with Parkinson’s disease was feasible, but that the reliability and the equivalence were not enough to speak of complete similarity. The major negative aspect for both the participants as the assessors were the technical issues making the appointments more complicated. Numerous participants indicated that not having to travel was a significant advantage. This study suggests that the MoCA could be used in remote assessments of patients and research participants with movement disorders, however there are still areas for improvement before the eMoCA can be applied in a clinical setting.Show less
