Developing a Bahasa Malaysia Version of the MoCA Test: A Validation Study in a Stroke Population

The Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) is a widely used instrument for assessing cognitive function, particularly in populations with mild cognitive impairment. However, its use has been limited in certain regions due to language barriers. In response to this challenge, we aimed to develop a Bahasa Malaysia (BM) version of the MoCA and validate it in a stroke population.

A validated BM version of the MoCA will be of significant benefit to clinicians and researchers in Malaysia and the wider South-east Asian region, where the Malay language is used by over 200 million people. In this study, we aimed to develop and validate a BM version of the MoCA in a sample of bilingual stroke patients.

The development process involved translating the original English version of the MoCA into BM and then back-translating it to ensure accuracy. Feasibility testing was conducted in a group of stroke patients, which prompted minor changes to the BM version. The final BM version of the MoCA was then used to assess cognitive function in a larger group of bilingual stroke patients.

The results showed that scores on the BM MoCA were slightly higher than scores on the English MoCA (median absolute difference = 2.0, IQR 0-3.5), and this difference was present regardless of which version was completed first. Agreement between the BM MoCA and English MoCA was strong (intra-class correlation coefficient = 0.81, 95% CI 0.68-0.90).

In conclusion, our study demonstrates the feasibility and validity of using a BM version of the MoCA in a stroke population. The results suggest that the BM MoCA is a reliable and accurate instrument for assessing cognitive function in bilingual individuals.

The Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) evaluates several key domains, including:

* Attention and concentration

* Executive functions

* Memory

* Language

* Visuoconstructional skills

* Conceptual thinking

* Calculation

These domains are essential for daily living and can be affected by stroke. The MoCA is a useful tool for assessing cognitive function in individuals with stroke, and the development of a BM version will facilitate its use in Malaysia and other regions where the Malay language is spoken.

By using the BM MoCA, clinicians and researchers can gain a better understanding of cognitive function in bilingual individuals and develop more effective interventions to improve cognitive function after stroke.

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