Understanding the Evolution of Moca Test Version 7.4: A Comprehensive Review

The Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) is a widely used screening tool for mild cognitive impairment, designed to assess various cognitive domains such as memory, language, visuospatial skills, and executive functions. Over the years, the MoCA has undergone several updates, with version 7.4 being one of the latest iterations. In this article, we will delve into the key differences between Moca test versions 7.1 and 7.3, as well as their interchangeability in assessing cognitive performance.

Studies have shown that cancer and its treatments can significantly impact a patient's cognitive function (1). To address this concern, researchers have sought to develop reliable and valid screening tools to assess cognitive impairment. The MoCA has emerged as a popular choice due to its brevity and ease of administration.

In a recent study published in Current Opinion in Supportive and Palliative Care, researchers evaluated the cognitive performance of patients with breast cancer using both Moca test versions 7.1 and 7.3 (2). The study found that while overall scores were similar between the two versions, there were significant differences in item-specific performances.

One notable difference was observed in the language and memory domains, where version 7.1 presented higher scores and lower visuospatial abilities compared to version 7.3 (3). Additionally, the study reported significant differences in the percentage of correct answers across 7 out of 12 tasks, with the highest disparity seen in the copy of a geometric figure.

The authors also explored the interchangeability of the two versions by assessing agreements between them using Bland-Altman plots and intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC). The results showed that while total scores were not statistically different between versions, there was significant variation in sub-domain and task scores.

In conclusion, while Moca test version 7.4 may present some differences compared to its predecessors, it is essential to consider these variations when interpreting cognitive performance assessments. By understanding the evolution of the MoCA, healthcare professionals can better utilize this valuable tool to monitor and manage cognitive impairment in patients with breast cancer.

References:

1. Ahles TA (2012) Brain vulnerability to chemotherapy toxicities Psycho-Oncology 21:1141–1148

2. Īraújo N, Severo M, Lopes-Conceição L, Fontes F, Dias T, Branco M, Morais S, Cruz VT, Ruano L, Pereira S (2021) Trajectories of cognitive performance over five years in a prospective cohort of patients with breast cancer (NEON-BC).

3. Castel H (2015) Impact of cancer and its treatments on cognitive function: advances in research From the Paris International Cognition and Cancer Task Force Symposium and Update Since.

Moca test version 7.4 pdf