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Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) scores in medically compromised patients: A scoping review
Anne R Carlew1, Emily E Smith1, William Goette1
1Division of Psychology, Department of Psychiatry, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center.
Objective:
The purpose of this review is to critically examine studies that have examined investigated the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) and functional or medical outcomes and other health variables in patients with non-neurologic medical conditions.
Method:
Databases OVID Medline and Embase were systematically searched through April 2020, yielding 281 articles that were separately screened for inclusion. Study characteristics extracted from retained articles are presented in Table S1 (online supplemental materials).
Results:
Thirty-six articles were retained. Cognitive impairment as assessed by the MoCA was associated with adverse health variables including increased morbidity/mortality, poorer functional abilities, increased length of hospital stay, and increased hospital readmissions in 34 of 36 articles.
Conclusions:
Cognitive impairment as detected by the MoCA was shown in 34 of 36 studies to be associated with worse functional or medical status compared to those with better cognitive functioning across a variety of medical populations. Further research is needed to better understand how to best use the MoCA to potentially inform treatment planning in medical populations, including referral for more detailed neuropsychological evaluation. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2021 APA, all rights reserved).
Insights
Cognitive impairment identified by the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) is linked to worse health outcomes in non-neurologic medical patients. This highlights the MoCA
Area of Science:
- Medical research
- Cognitive assessment
- Patient outcomes
Background:
- Non-neurologic medical conditions can impact cognitive function.
- The Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) is a tool used to screen for cognitive impairment.
- Understanding the relationship between MoCA scores and health outcomes is crucial for patient care.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review studies investigating the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) in patients with non-neurologic medical conditions.
- To examine the association between MoCA results and functional or medical outcomes.
- To explore the role of MoCA in identifying cognitive impairment in diverse medical populations.
Main Methods:
- Systematic literature search of OVID Medline and Embase databases up to April 2020.
- Inclusion criteria applied to screen 281 retrieved articles.
- Extraction and synthesis of study characteristics from 36 retained articles.
Main Results:
- Cognitive impairment, as assessed by MoCA, was identified in 34 of 36 studies.
- MoCA-detected cognitive impairment correlated with adverse health variables.
- Associated outcomes included increased morbidity/mortality, poorer function, longer hospital stays, and higher readmission rates.
Conclusions:
- Cognitive impairment detected by MoCA is consistently associated with worse functional and medical status in patients with non-neurologic conditions.
- The MoCA can serve as a valuable screening tool in medical settings.
- Further research is needed to integrate MoCA findings into treatment planning and neuropsychological referrals.
