The Montreal Cognitive Assessment 7.2--Polish adaptation and research on equivalency

Abstract

The Montreal Cognitive Assessment is a screening test for diagnosis of Mild Cognitive Impairment- MCI. Only one version of the method was available in Poland so far. In order to assess progression of cognitive impairment, or to diagnose effectiveness of therapy, two equivalent version of method are needed. English additional version 7.2. was translated and culturally adapted to sustain reliability of the assessment. Then equivalency of both Polish versions was investigated. This paper examines whether both Polish versions of MoCA are equivalent, and describes the process of its cultural adaptation. 66 psychiatric patients (37 men, 29 women) with different levels of cognitive impairment were examined using both Polish versions of MoCA. Both versions were administered randomly to patients with no time interval in between. No significant differences (p=0,601) for total MoCA scores were found between first version of Polish MoCA, and alternate version. Equivalency measured by correlation coefficient Spearman's rho correlation coefficient (rho=0,926) proved to be high. Both Polish versions of MoCA are equivalent, and can be useful in repeated measurement of progress in cognitive impairment or in testing of the effectiveness of treatment.