The Montreal Cognitive Assessment—Basic: A Screening Tool for Mild Cognitive Impairment in Illiterate and Low‐Educated Elderly Adults. Issue 12 (9th December 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Julayanont, Parunyou; Tangwongchai, Sookjaroen; Hemrungrojn, Solaphat; Tunvirachaisakul, Chawit; Phanthumchinda, Kammant; Hongsawat, Juntanee; Suwichanarakul, Panida; Thanasirorat, Saowaluck; Nasreddine, Ziad S.
• Is Part Of: Journal of the American Geriatrics Society. Volume 63:Issue 12(2015:Dec.)
• Page Start: 2550
• Page End: 2554
• Publication Date: 2015-12-09
• Subjects: Montreal Cognitive Assessment -- mild cognitive impairment -- mild cognitive impairment -- screening; Geriatrics -- Periodicals; 618.97
• DOI: 10.1111/jgs.13820
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0002-8614

Abstract

Abstract : Objectives: To assess the validity of a newly developed cognitive screening tool, the Montreal Cognitive Assessment—Basic (MoCA‐B), in screening for mild cognitive impairment (MCI) in elderly adults with low education and varying literacy. Design: Cross‐sectional. Setting: Community hospital in Bangkok, Thailand. Participants: Cognitively normal controls (n = 43) and individuals with MCI according to the National Institute on Aging‐Alzheimer's Association work group criteria (n = 42) aged 55 to 80 with less than 5 years of education. Measurements: MoCA‐B scores. Results: Mean MoCA‐B scores were 26.3 ± 1.6 for illiterate controls and 21.3 ± 3.8 for illiterate participants with MCI ( P < .001) and 26.6 ± 2.0 for literate controls and 23.0 ± 2.1 for literate participants with MCI ( P < .001). MoCA‐B scores did not differ significantly according to literacy, and multiple regression suggested no association with age or education. The optimal cutoff score of 24 out of 25 yielded 81% sensitivity and 86% specificity for MCI (area under the receiver operating characteristic curve = 0.90, P < .001). Test–retest reliability was 0.91 ( P < .001), and internal consistency was 0.82. Administration time was 15 to 21 minutes. Conclusion: The MoCA‐B appears to have excellent validity and addresses an unmet need by accurately screening for MCI in poorly educated older adults regardless of literacy.