Critical evaluation of COSMIN scores in scales for mild cognitive impairment and Alzheimer's disease: A comprehensive review.

Abstract

Background: Timely diagnosis and intervention of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) can delay the development of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Objective: The purpose of this study was to analyze assessment tools for cognitive function using the Consensus Criteria for Selection of Health Measurement Instruments (COSMIN) method. Comparing the validity, reliability, and practicality of these assessment tools helps clinicians select appropriate assessment tools for patients, thereby improving diagnostic accuracy. Methods:We followed the updated Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines and used the COSMIN checklist to conduct a thorough methodological quality assessment of the studies. The measurement properties were evaluated and rated on a scale from excellent to poor, based on adapted criteria. We then synthesized the best evidence by combining the COSMIN outcomes with the quality of findings to ensure a precise and comprehensive analysis. Results: We identified a total of 156 publications, which included 19 different cognitive assessment instruments. Among these, the Telephone version of the Cantonese Mini-Mental State Examination (T-CMMSE), the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), and the Hong Kong versions of the MoCA (HK-MoCA-A1 and A2) demonstrated distinguished qualities. The assessment of measurement properties included internal consistency, reliability, validity, and sensitivity and specificity. Notably, the T-CMMSE showed superior methodological quality based on our rigorous analysis. Conclusions: The T-CMMSE, MoCA, and HK-MoCA-A1 and A2 were found to be notable cognitive assessment tools for MCI and AD. Future research should aim to expand on these findings by exploring a wider range of tools and contexts.