The Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) is a widely used test to identify early signs of cognitive impairment. Traditionally, it is given as a paper-and-pencil test, which can vary in accuracy due to human variation in administering and scoring. This variability can make it difficult to accurately measure the effects of new treatments or make consistent clinical decisions. To address these issues, MoCA Cognition has developed a digital version of the MoCA test.

This new digital MoCA test is designed to be taken on a tablet and guided by a virtual assistant that replicates the in-person test experience. By using artificial intelligence, the digital MoCA ensures consistent administration and scoring. The digital format also allows for broader accessibility, as it can be available in multiple languages and easily integrated with electronic health records for better data management.

We aim to assess the equivalence of the digital MoCA against the traditional paper-pencil MoCA test by conducting a validation study with both cognitively healthy individuals and those with cognitive impairments. This study will assess how well the digital version performs compared to the original.

Overall, the digital MoCA represents a significant advancement in cognitive assessment, with the potential for a more accurate, accessible, and reliable testing for patients and researchers alike.