The Validity, Reliability and Clinical Utility of the Hong Kong Montreal Cognitive Assessment (HK-MoCA) in Patients with Cerebral Small Vessel Disease

Abstract

BACKGROUND/AIMS: To evaluate the psychometric properties of the Hong Kong Montreal Cognitive Assessment (HK-MoCA) in patients with cerebral small vessel disease (SVD). METHODS: 40 SVD patients and 40 matched controls were recruited. Concurrent and criterion validity, inter-rater and test-retest reliability, internal consistency of the HK-MoCA were examined and clinical observations were made. RESULTS: Performance on the HK-MoCA was significantly predicted by both executive (beta = 0.23, p = 0.013) and non-executive (beta = 0.64, p < 0.001) composite scores. It differentiated SVD patients from controls (area under the curve = 0.81, p < 0.001) with an optimal cutoff at 21/22. Reliability, internal consistency and clinical utility were good. CONCLUSION: The HK-MoCA is a useful cognitive screening instrument for use in SVD patients.