ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) represents a short screening tool for neuropsychological deficits. The study's aim was to test feasibility and acceptance of MoCA in patients with brain tumours perioperatively. METHODS: Patients with supratentorial located brain tumours were assessed preoperatively (t1, day -1) and postoperatively (t2, day 3-5) using EORTC-QLQ-C30â¯+â¯BN20, Distress Thermometer (DT) and the MoCA test (different versions). Feasibility was evaluated by a feedback form and patients were asked about perceived discomfort, overstraining or complexity of MoCA. Results of MoCA were correlated with clinical factors. RESULTS: 63 patients participated, 19 were male. Mean age was 56â¯years. Mean completion time of MoCA was 11â¯min (both t1 and t2). At t1, in 27% "moderate or major difficulties" occurred during MoCA assessment vs. 41% at t2. Most of the patients (t1, 93% vs. t2, 86%) negated to be overstrained by MoCA. Better "physical function" according to EORTC-QLQ-C30 (pâ¯=â¯0.041, Pearsonâ¯=â¯0.321) and higher KPS (pâ¯=â¯0.012, Pearsonâ¯=â¯0.578) correlated to higher MoCA scores. Higher distress at t2 was found to be correlated with a stronger deterioration of MoCA at t2 vs. t1 (pâ¯=â¯0.03, Spearman-Rhoâ¯=â¯.695). CONCLUSION: The MoCA test was well accepted by the patients and implementable in clinical routine. Further investigations evaluating the sensitivity and specificity of the test in brain tumour patients are required.
