The suitability of the Montreal Cognitive Assessment as a screening tool to identify people with dysfunction in occupational performance after mild stroke

Introduction: Cognitive deficits are an important determinant for experiencing limitations in occupational performance after stroke. It is important to recognize these deficits, and their impact on daily activities, at an early stage so people can get the support they need. The non-challenging environment of a hospital hampers this recognition, making it difficult for occupational therapists to select which patients should be assessed extensively, and which not. This study aims to explore the Montreal Cognitive Assessment as a screening tool by investigating its relationship with occupational performance in patients with mild stroke. Method: Twenty-nine people with mild stroke were recruited for this cross-sectional study. Scores on the Montreal Cognitive Assessment and Assessment of Motor and Process Skills were compared and correlations were calculated. Findings: The Montreal Cognitive Assessment cut-off did not identify those who might experience problems in daily functioning after mild stroke. A moderate correlation was found between scores on the Montreal Cognitive Assessment and the Assessment of Motor and Process Skills process scores. Conclusion: The Montreal Cognitive Assessment cannot be used as a screening tool to identify problems in occupational performance after mild stroke.