Evaluation of Cognitive Functions in Schizophrenic Patients with the Montreal Cognitive Assessment Scale and Mini-Mental State Examination

Authors : Serkan ZİNCİR

Pages : 553-557

Doi:10.19127/bshealthscience.1110688

View : 24 | Download : 9

Publication Date : 2022-09-01

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :Schizophrenia is a complex neurodevelopmental disorder. Cognitive deficit is the central feature of the neurodevelopmental disorders. Cognitive impairment is related to social, functional, and clinical symptoms. The aim of this study was to investigate the clinical usability of the Montreal Cognitive Assessment insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(MoCA); as a screening instrument for cognitive impairment in schizophrenic patients alone, and in correlation with the Mini-Mental State Examination insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(MMSE);. This clinical study included 31 patients diagnosed with schizophrenia. Patients were selected from Psychiatry Clinic. For the assessment of cognitive impairment, we used Montreal Cognitive Assessment Scale insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(MoCA); and Mini-Mental State Examination insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(MMSE);. Of the total number of patients insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(n=31);, 6/31 insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(19.4 %); were males and 25/31 insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(80.6 %); were females; the mean duration of the disorder was 23.5 years insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(SD=6.69);. Seventeen patients insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(54.8%); of those who were on MMSE scale had a score greater or equal to 24 insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(normal range); and the MoCA scale had a normal score insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(>21);, while 11 insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(35.5%); patients reported moderate to severe cognitive impairment. Analysis of the correlation coefficient between the total score of MoCA and the MMSE scale indicates a statistically significant positive correlation with Spearman rho=0.81 and P<0.001. Our findings provide preliminary evidence that the MoCA scale performs well in screening mild and moderate cognitive impairments of schizophrenia patients in outpatient clinics and is more sensitive than MMSE.
Keywords : Schizophrenia, Cognitive Impairment, MoCA, MMSE