Correlation Between Montreal Cognitive Assessment and Functional Outcome in Subacute Stroke Patients With Cognitive Dysfunction

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the correlation between the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) and functional outcome among subacute stroke patients with cognitive dysfunction. METHODS: Records of 61 inpatients were reviewed. Patients were divided into two groups based on their initial MoCA score. MoCA score of 11 was set as the differentiating criterion. We compared the improvements in Modified Barthel Index (MBI) from initial assessment to discharge between the two groups. RESULTS: There were no significant differences between the two groups in relation to age, duration from onset to admission, hospitalization period, or years of education. In a comparison of the results of Mini-Mental Status Examinations (MMSE) administered at admission and again at discharge, there was significantly more improvement in MMSE scores in the group with low MoCA scores than in the group with high MoCA scores. However, the group with high MoCA scores also showed high MBI scores at discharge and exhibited greater MBI improvement. CONCLUSION: Higher initial MoCA scores (which reflect preservation of executive function) indicate better functional outcome in the subacute stroke phase.