A1 Journal article (refereed)
Ajokyvyn arviointi MoCA-menetelmällä Alzheimerin taudin varhaisvaiheessa (2019)
The Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) in assessing driving ability of patients with early Alzheimer’s disease

Pyykönen, H., Parantainen, H., Kujala, T., & Wikgren, J. (2019). Ajokyvyn arviointi MoCA-menetelmällä Alzheimerin taudin varhaisvaiheessa. Lääkärilehti, 74(11), 686-693. https://www.laakarilehti.fi/tieteessa/alkuperaistutkimukset/ajokyvyn-arviointi-moca-menetelmalla-alzheimerin-taudin-varhaisvaiheessa/

JYU authors or editors

Publication details

All authors or editors: Pyykönen, Hanna; Parantainen, Heidi; Kujala, Tuomo; Wikgren, Jan

Journal or series: Lääkärilehti

ISSN: 0039-5560

eISSN: 2489-7434

Publication year: 2019

Volume: 74

Issue number: 11

Pages range: 686-693

Publisher: Suomen lääkäriliitto

Place of Publication: Helsinki

Publication country: Finland

Publication language: Finnish

Persistent website address: https://www.laakarilehti.fi/tieteessa/alkuperaistutkimukset/ajokyvyn-arviointi-moca-menetelmalla-alzheimerin-taudin-varhaisvaiheessa/

Publication open access: Openly available

Publication channel open access: Delayed open access channel

Publication is parallel published (JYX): https://jyx.jyu.fi/handle/123456789/63298

Abstract

Background -- The aim of this study was to evaluate the suitability of the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) as a screening tool when evaluating fitness to drive in individuals with early Alzheimer’s disease (AD). The aim was also to evaluate the sensitivity of the MoCA to detect the early cognitive impairments in AD. Methods -- Seven individuals with early AD and 17 healthy elderly drivers participated in a driving simulator study consisting of clinical interview, cognitive assessment (MoCA) and simulator drives. After the simulator drives, participants were asked to self-evaluate their driving performance. Results -- AD participants performed worse in both the MoCA test and the simulator drive compared to healthy elderly participants. AD participants also overestimated their driving ability. The overall MoCA score in the AD group was 18.6 compared with 27.4 in the control group. During the simulator drive AD participants made almost twice as many driving errors as healthy controls. Conclusions -- The MoCA seems to be a sensitive screening tool for detecting cognitive impairments in early AD. Anosognosia and deficits in visuospatial abilities, executive functioning and memory seem to increase the safety risk among AD drivers based on the simulator drive. An MoCA score of 20 or less should raise concerns about driving safety.

Keywords: memory loss diseases; Alzheimer's disease; ability to drive; cognitive skills; cognitive processes; evaluation; evaluation methods; tests; performance (coping)

Free keywords: Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA)

Contributing organizations

Ministry reporting: Yes

Reporting Year: 2019

JUFO rating: 1