Relationship between the Activities of Daily Living Questionnaire and the Montreal Cognitive Assessment

INTRODUCTION: The Activities of Daily Living Questionnaire (ADL-Q) is an informant report questionnaire assessing functional impairment in daily living skills. Previous research has demonstrated correlations between ADL-Q and cognitive screening measures among patients with dementia. This study examined the relationship between ADL-Q and the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), a brief cognitive screening. METHODS: Records of 448 individuals from an outpatient neurology clinic were reviewed. Pearson correlations were calculated between ADL-Q scores and MoCA scores. Linear regression models were fit using demographic information to predict ADL-Q scores. MoCA scores were then added to the models to determine the increase in predictive value of the MoCA. RESULTS: Lower MoCA scores were associated with higher levels of functional impairment. For each model, adding the MoCA significantly improved model fit. DISCUSSION: Low scores on the MoCA, among patient's presenting for memory complaints, should raise concerns about functional decline and prompt for further assessment of functional ability.