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The Montreal Cognitive Assessment Test (MoCA) as a screening tool for cognitive dysfunction in fibromyalgia
O. Elkana1, Y. Nimni2, J.N. Ablin3, R. Shorer4, V. Aloush5
- School of Behavioural Sciences, Tel Aviv-Jaffa Academic College, Israel. odelia.elkana@gmail.com
- School of Behavioural Sciences, Tel Aviv-Jaffa Academic College, Israel.
- Internal Medicine H, Tel-Aviv Sourasky Medical Centre, and Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Israel.
- Institute of Rheumatology, Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Centre, Israel.
- Institute of Rheumatology, Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Centre, Israel.
CER15280
2022 Vol.40, N°6
PI 1136, PF 1142
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PMID: 35699063 [PubMed]
Received: 24/10/2021
Accepted : 14/02/2022
In Press: 08/06/2022
Published: 22/06/2022
Abstract
OBJECTIVES:
Cognitive dysfunction is one of the criteria for the diagnosis of fibromyalgia (FM) and is typically based on self-report questionnaires such as the Symptom Severity Scale. However, recent studies have shown that there is no correlation between these subjective measures of cognitive dysfunction and more lengthy objective measures of cognitive functioning. This points to the need for a briefer valid evaluation tool for cognitive dysfunction in FM. The aim of this study is to examine whether the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) test is a valid measure of cognitive assessment in FM patients, by comparing it to a comprehensive computerised cognitive assessment battery.
METHODS:
Sixty-two FM patients (55 women, 7 men, mean age = 46.17 years, sd=12.56) were administered the MoCA and a computerised cognitive assessment battery. FM symptoms were assessed on the Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQ), the Widespread Pain Index (WPI), the Symptom Severity Scale (SSS), and the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI-2). Patient effort was controlled on the TOMM (Test of Memory Malingering).
RESULTS:
Moderate positive correlations were found between the MoCA and the computerised cognitive scores as follows: Global Cognitive Score (r=0.493**, p=0.00), Memory Index Score (r= 0.384**, p=0.002), Executive Function Index Score (r=0.461**, p=0.00), Attention Index Score (r=0.310*, p=0.016), Information Processing Speed Index Score (r=0.435**, p=0.001), and Motor Skills (r=0.406**, p=0.002).
CONCLUSIONS:
The MoCA is an acceptable cognitive screening test for the cognitive evaluation of FM patients.
