Montreal Cognitive Assessment scores of Veterans and Canadian Armed Forces personnel seeking mental health treatment

Abstract

LAY SUMMARY The Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) is a test of mild cognitive impairment that is commonly administered to military personnel seeking mental health treatment. However, there is little research on the average MoCA score for military Veterans. This study looked at MoCA scores provided by Canadian Armed Forces members and Veterans receiving services for an operational-related mental health condition. Scores below the cut-off for mild cognitive impairment were not uncommon and were related to education level, as well as to severity of posttraumatic stress disorder and depression. These findings will help clinicians better contextualize score variation among clients.