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Cognitive assessment: A challenge for occupational therapists in Brazil

AVALIAÇÃO COGNITIVA: UM DESAFIO PARA OS TERAPEUTAS OCUPACIONAIS NO BRASIL

ABSTRACT

Cognitive impairment is a common dysfunction after neurological injury. Cognitive assessment tools can help the therapist understand how impairments are affecting functional status and quality of life.

Objective:

The aim of the study was to identify instruments for cognitive assessment that Occupational Therapists (OT) can use in clinical practice.

Methods:

The instruments published in English and Portuguese between 1999 and 2016 were systematically reviewed.

Results:

The search identified 17 specific instruments for OT not validated in Brazilian Portuguese, 10 non-specific instruments for OT not validated in Brazilian Portuguese, and 25 instruments validated for Portuguese, only one of which was specific for OT (Lowenstein Occupational Therapy Cognitive Assessment).

Conclusion:

There are few assessment cognitive tools validated for use in the Brazilian culture and language. The majority of the instruments appear not to be validated for use by OT in clinical practice.

Key words:
cognitive impairment; occupational therapy; assessment; cognitive assessment

RESUMO

Déficits cognitivos são comuns após uma lesão neurológica. Avaliação cognitiva pode auxiliar o terapeuta a compreender melhor as dificuldades do sujeito e como afetam as habilidades funcionais e qualidade de vida.

Objetivo:

O objetivo desta pesquisa foi de identificar avaliações cognitivas que o Terapeuta Ocupacional (TO) pode utilizar na prática clínica.

Métodos:

Uma revisão sistemática da literatura foi realizada sobre os instrumentos publicados em inglês e português nas bases de dados de 1999 a 2016.

Resultados:

Foram identificados 17 instrumentos de avaliação específicos para Terapia Ocupacional, mas que não estão validados em português, 10 instrumentos que não são específicos, mas que podem ser utilizados por TO que também não foram validados para a população brasileira e por fim 24 instrumentos validados, porém apenas um é específico para TO (Lowenstein Occupational Therapy Cognitive Assessment).

Conclusão:

Existem poucas avaliações cognitivas validadas para a cultura e língua brasileira. Possivelmente a maioria destes instrumentos não tenha sido validado para a TO utilizar na pratica clínica.

Palavras-chave:
déficit cognitivo; terapia ocupacional; avaliação; avaliação cognitiva

INTRODUCTION

Cognition is defined as a mental process by which knowledge and understanding is developed in the mind.11 Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary (2015). http://www.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/learner/cognitionAccessed in 09/07/2015.
http://www.oxforddictionaries.com/defini...
In addition, cognition involves the processes of memory, judgment, thinking, reasoning and perception, and has an important role in emotions and behavior.22 Grieve J & Gnanasekaran L. Editors. Neuropsychology for occupational therapists: cognition in occupational performance. Third edition, Hoboken NJ, Wiley-Blackwell; 2008. Cognitive deficits affect activities of daily living (ADL) and instrumental activities of daily living (IADL), leading to disability and loss in quality of life.22 Grieve J & Gnanasekaran L. Editors. Neuropsychology for occupational therapists: cognition in occupational performance. Third edition, Hoboken NJ, Wiley-Blackwell; 2008. Such deficits can also be a barrier to returning to work. Because cognitive impairments are 'invisible', patients have less awareness of them, making it more difficult to recognize the deficits in the workplace and make the necessary adjustments. An integrated approach to patients is the key to identifying compensatory strategies and providing adequate rehabilitation.22 Grieve J & Gnanasekaran L. Editors. Neuropsychology for occupational therapists: cognition in occupational performance. Third edition, Hoboken NJ, Wiley-Blackwell; 2008.

The prevalence of cognitive impairment in Brazil was reported in a study conducted in Ribeirão Preto. The study population comprised 1145 adults over 60 years old with heterogeneous conditions, such as stroke, head injury, epilepsy, depression, diabetes, hypertension, cholesterol, arthritis, smoking, alcohol abuse and benzodiazepine use. Out of the 1145 subjects, 217 (18.5%) had cognitive dysfunction.33 Lopes AM, Hototian SR, Bustamante SEZ, Azevedo D, Tatsch M, Bazzarella MC, et al. Prevalence of cognitive and functional impairment in a community sample in Ribeirão Preto, Brazil. Int J Geriatr Psychol. 2007;22:770-6. In another study conducted in the United Kingdom, 15,051 subjects completed the assessment, revealing a prevalence of cognitive impairment of 18.3%.44 Rait G, Fletcher A, Smeeth L, Brayne C, Stirling S, Nunes M, et al. Prevalence of cognitive impairment: results from the MRC trial of assessment and management of older people in the community. Age Ageing. 2005;34(3):242-8. Moreover, the study showed the influence of cognitive deficits on physical aspects of the patients, who presented the following symptoms: hearing and vision deficits, urinary incontinence and the occurrence of two or three falls in the preceding days.44 Rait G, Fletcher A, Smeeth L, Brayne C, Stirling S, Nunes M, et al. Prevalence of cognitive impairment: results from the MRC trial of assessment and management of older people in the community. Age Ageing. 2005;34(3):242-8.

After brain damage, it is important that the patient begins a rehabilitation process for both physical and cognitive aspects.55 Melia K, Law P, Sidebottom L, Bewick K, Danziger S, Schold-Davis E, et al. Reccomendation for Best Practice in Cognitive Rehabilitation: Acquired Brain Injury. The Society for Cognitive Rehabilitation. 2004. https://www.societyforcognitiverehab.org/membership-and-certification/documents/EditedRecsBestPrac.pdf Accessed in 09/07/2016
https://www.societyforcognitiverehab.org...
There is growing evidence of the benefits of cognitive rehabilitation after brain damage.55 Melia K, Law P, Sidebottom L, Bewick K, Danziger S, Schold-Davis E, et al. Reccomendation for Best Practice in Cognitive Rehabilitation: Acquired Brain Injury. The Society for Cognitive Rehabilitation. 2004. https://www.societyforcognitiverehab.org/membership-and-certification/documents/EditedRecsBestPrac.pdf Accessed in 09/07/2016
https://www.societyforcognitiverehab.org...
Therefore, for effective rehabilitation it is essential to perform an initial assessment to evaluate and understand the cognitive deficits of each patient and inform rehabilitation planning for patients after neurological disease. Numerous cognitive assessment tools are available in the international literature; however, there are few instruments for non-psychologist professionals, such as Occupational Therapists.

The aim of occupational therapy is to help patients develop more independence and autonomy after brain damage. Considering the importance of cognitive aspects during the rehabilitation process, it is essential that the OT be able to evaluate these aspects. Moreover, the OT is thus able to provide rehabilitation for this kind of patient throughout the recovery process.66 Cheney P, Rivera-Finnen L. Occupational Therapy's Role in Adult Cognitive Disorders. The American Occupational Therapy Association. The Fact Sheet. 2011. https://www.aota.org/~/media/Corporate/Files/AboutOT/Professionals/WhatIsOT/PA/Facts/Cognitive-Disorders-Fact-Sheet.pdf). Accessed in 09/07/2016
https://www.aota.org/~/media/Corporate/F...

Before starting rehabilitation, it is essential that the OT carries out an adequate evaluation of the cognitive aspects of the patient. The American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) divides instruments into six different types: interview (e.g. Canadian Occupational Performance Measure); cognitive screening tools (e.g. Loewenstein Occupational Therapy Cognitive Assessment); performance-based assessments that may be used to assess cognitive and executive function-based performance deficits once these have been established (e.g. Multiple Errands Test and Árnadóttir OT-ADL Neurobehavioral Evaluation); measures of specific cognitive functions and client factors (e.g. Contextual Memory Test); specific measures of cognitive performance in the context of specific occupations (e.g. Executive Function Performance Test); and environmental assessment (e.g. Home Environmental Assessment Protocol).77 Giles GM, Radomski MV, Champagne T, Corcoran MA, Gillen G, Kuhaneck HM, et al. Cognition, Cognitive Rehabilitation, and Occupational Performance. Am J Occup Ther. 2013;67(Suppl):S9-S31.

The aim of this study was to review the OT literature to find cognitive assessment tools available internationally for individual adults with neurological injury or diseases and compare with instruments available in Brazil.

METHODS

A sensitive focused literature research strategy was used in this study. Assessments tools were identified by searching the PUBMED, GOOGLE Scholar and GOOGLE books databases for publications between 1989 and December 2016, using the following search terms: occupational therapy, assessment, cognitive assessment and cognitive impairment.

Inclusion criteria. 1) Tool with psychometric data; 2) Specific use for OT or non-psychologists; 3) Applicability in individuals with neurologic diseases or brain injury, such as: stroke, traumatic brain injury, brain tumor, multiple sclerosis and dementia; 4) Applicability for age over 18 years; 5) Instruments described in the manuscripts; 6) Instruments in English or translated to Portuguese.

Tools that were not described in detail, and those focused on other diseases, such as mental health, were excluded. Tools cited in original papers, systematic reviews or meta- frequencies of analyses were included. The use of the different evaluation tools across the literature was checked.

Tables 1 to 3 describe the following items: (1) name of the tool; (2) categories: cognitive domains evaluated; and (3) administration time of the tool. The tools are listed in the tables in alphabetical order. Table 1 describes the instruments for occupational therapy practice not validated in Brazil (17 tools); Table 2 shows cognitive assessment tools for use in clinical practice by different health professionals (including occupational therapists) not validated in Brazil (10 tools); and Table 3 shows cognitive assessment tools for use by different health professionals in clinical practice (including occupational therapists) validated in Brazil (25 tools).

Table 1
Cognitive assessment tools for OT not validated in Brazil.2222 Cicerone KD, Dahlberg C, Kalmar K, Langenbahn DM, Malec JF, Bergquist TF, et al. Evidence-based cognitive rehabilitation: recommendations for clinical practice. Arch Physical Med Rehab. 2000;81(12): 1596-615.

23 College of Occupational Therapists. (2012) Assessments for older people with Dementia. Available at: http://www.cot.co.uk/sites/default/files/ss-older-people/public/Assessments-for-Older-People-with-Dementia.pdfAccessed 04/05/16.
http://www.cot.co.uk/sites/default/files...

24 Cullen B, O'Neil B, Evans JJ, Coen RF, Lawlor BA. A review of screening tests for cognitive impairment. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry. 2007;78: 790-9.

25 Douglas A, Letts L, Liu L. Review of Cognitive Assessments for Older Adults. Phys Occup Ther Geriatr. 2007;26(4):13-43.

26 Douglas A, Liu L, Warren S, Hopper T. Cognitive assessments for older adults: Which ones are used by Canadian therapists and why. Can J Occup Ther, 2007;74(5):370-81.

27 Engelhardt E, Tocquer C, André C, Moreira DM, and Okamoto IH, Sá Cavalcanti JL. Demência vascular. Critérios diagnósticos e exames complementares. Dement Neuropsychol. 2001;5(Suppl 1):49-77.

28 Marosszeky NEV, Ryan L, Shores EA. The PTA Protocol: Guidelines for using the Westmead Post-Traumatic Amnesia (PTA) Scale. Sydney: Wild & Wooley; 1997. http://www.lifetimecare.nsw.gov.au/_data/assets/pdf_file/0020/45074/Post_Traumatic_Amnesia_An_Investigation_Into_The_Validity_Of_Measuring_Instruments.pdfAccess in 04/10/2015.
http://www.lifetimecare.nsw.gov.au/_data...

29 Thames Valley Test Company. Catalogue. 2004. http://www.blessing-cathay.com/sub/ps/pdf/S1-TVTC%20with%20price.pdfAccess in 04/10/2015.
http://www.blessing-cathay.com/sub/ps/pd...
-3030 Poulin V, Korner-Bitenski N, Dawson DR. Stroke-specific executive function assessment: a literature review of performance-based tools. Aus J Occup Ther. 2013;60:3-19.
Table 2
Cognitive assessment tools not validated in Brazil that can be used by OT.2222 Cicerone KD, Dahlberg C, Kalmar K, Langenbahn DM, Malec JF, Bergquist TF, et al. Evidence-based cognitive rehabilitation: recommendations for clinical practice. Arch Physical Med Rehab. 2000;81(12): 1596-615.

23 College of Occupational Therapists. (2012) Assessments for older people with Dementia. Available at: http://www.cot.co.uk/sites/default/files/ss-older-people/public/Assessments-for-Older-People-with-Dementia.pdfAccessed 04/05/16.
http://www.cot.co.uk/sites/default/files...

24 Cullen B, O'Neil B, Evans JJ, Coen RF, Lawlor BA. A review of screening tests for cognitive impairment. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry. 2007;78: 790-9.

25 Douglas A, Letts L, Liu L. Review of Cognitive Assessments for Older Adults. Phys Occup Ther Geriatr. 2007;26(4):13-43.

26 Douglas A, Liu L, Warren S, Hopper T. Cognitive assessments for older adults: Which ones are used by Canadian therapists and why. Can J Occup Ther, 2007;74(5):370-81.

27 Engelhardt E, Tocquer C, André C, Moreira DM, and Okamoto IH, Sá Cavalcanti JL. Demência vascular. Critérios diagnósticos e exames complementares. Dement Neuropsychol. 2001;5(Suppl 1):49-77.

28 Marosszeky NEV, Ryan L, Shores EA. The PTA Protocol: Guidelines for using the Westmead Post-Traumatic Amnesia (PTA) Scale. Sydney: Wild & Wooley; 1997. http://www.lifetimecare.nsw.gov.au/_data/assets/pdf_file/0020/45074/Post_Traumatic_Amnesia_An_Investigation_Into_The_Validity_Of_Measuring_Instruments.pdfAccess in 04/10/2015.
http://www.lifetimecare.nsw.gov.au/_data...
-2929 Thames Valley Test Company. Catalogue. 2004. http://www.blessing-cathay.com/sub/ps/pdf/S1-TVTC%20with%20price.pdfAccess in 04/10/2015.
http://www.blessing-cathay.com/sub/ps/pd...

Table 3
Cognitive assessment tools validated in Brazil that can be used by OT.2424 Cullen B, O'Neil B, Evans JJ, Coen RF, Lawlor BA. A review of screening tests for cognitive impairment. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry. 2007;78: 790-9.

25 Douglas A, Letts L, Liu L. Review of Cognitive Assessments for Older Adults. Phys Occup Ther Geriatr. 2007;26(4):13-43.
-2626 Douglas A, Liu L, Warren S, Hopper T. Cognitive assessments for older adults: Which ones are used by Canadian therapists and why. Can J Occup Ther, 2007;74(5):370-81.,5353 Chaves ML, Camozzato AL, Godinho C, Piazenski I, Kaye J. Incidence of Mild Cognitive Impairment and Alzheimer Disease in Southern Brazil. J Geriatr Psychiatry Neurol. 2009;22(3):181-7.

54 Nitrini R, Lefreve BH, Mathias SC, Carameli P, Carilho PM, Sauia N, et al. Testes Neuropsicológicos de aplicação simples para o diagnóstico de Demência. Arq Neuropsiquiatr. 1994;54(4):457-65.
-5555 Vasconcelos LG, Brucki SMD, Bueno OFA. Cognitive and functional dementia assessment tools. Review of Brazilian literature. Dement Neuropsychol. 2007;1(1):18-23.

RESULTS

During the search on PubMed, Google Books and Google Scholar, 12 manuscripts (and instrument sales website to describe these in detail) were selected because they described different types of tools and the application form. From these articles and website, 40 different tools that met the inclusion criteria were included in the review. Table 1 describes cognitive assessments tools (17 instruments) developed by occupational therapist for occupational therapists, not validated in Portuguese. Table 2 shows cognitive instruments developed (10 instruments) for non-psychologists, not validated in Portuguese. Table 3 shows instruments (25 general cognitive assessment tools including 1 specific tool for occupational therapists) validated in Brazil that non-psychologists can use in clinical practice. There was only one cognitive assessment tool specifically developed for occupational therapists and validated for use in the Brazilian population: the Loewenstein Occupational Therapy Cognitive Assessment - LOTCA.

Instruments described in the tables can be specific for one cognitive domain, such as the Executive Dysfunction Performance Test (for executive functions) or for more than one cognitive functions, such as the Cognitive Assessment of Minnesota (memory, attention, orientation, visuospatial, executive functions, reasoning). Each instrument has a different administration time according to the domain and patient difficulties performing the tool task.

Instruments can be divided into: (1) a task to be performed by the patients, where the therapist gives the score according to the tool's rules (e.g. Executive Dysfunction Performance Test, Árnadóttir OT-ADL Neurobehavioral Evaluation, Activity of Daily Living Profile and Execution of a Cooking Task); or (2) a questionnaire/exercise to be completed by patients and scored by the therapist (e.g. Westmead Post Traumatic Amnesia Scale, Addenbrooke's Cognitive Examination and MiniMental State Exam).

When opting to use a specific instrument, it is necessary to learn and practice it before administration to patients. Some of the instruments require a course to start using them, while others can be understood by reading the manual before use (e.g. Executive Dysfunction Performance Test). Moreover, it is essential to determine whether the instrument is appropriate for a specific disease or not, and if it has been validated for the target population.

DISCUSSION

The Society of Cognitive Rehabilitation reports that in order to provide better rehabilitation for individuals with neurological diseases or injury,55 Melia K, Law P, Sidebottom L, Bewick K, Danziger S, Schold-Davis E, et al. Reccomendation for Best Practice in Cognitive Rehabilitation: Acquired Brain Injury. The Society for Cognitive Rehabilitation. 2004. https://www.societyforcognitiverehab.org/membership-and-certification/documents/EditedRecsBestPrac.pdf Accessed in 09/07/2016
https://www.societyforcognitiverehab.org...
the team of health professionals should comprise doctors, psychologists, occupational therapist, physiotherapists and speech and language therapists. The rehabilitation process is complex and should be performed by the health professional team to achieve patient and family goals.55 Melia K, Law P, Sidebottom L, Bewick K, Danziger S, Schold-Davis E, et al. Reccomendation for Best Practice in Cognitive Rehabilitation: Acquired Brain Injury. The Society for Cognitive Rehabilitation. 2004. https://www.societyforcognitiverehab.org/membership-and-certification/documents/EditedRecsBestPrac.pdf Accessed in 09/07/2016
https://www.societyforcognitiverehab.org...
During rehabilitation planning, aspects of the patient and families must be considered, such as cognitive, emotional, motor aspects of daily routine, social and financial status. Before planning rehabilitation, it is essential to understand the patient's impairments and potential, making it important to carry out an assessment with the appropriate tools.

Different tools for assessing cognitive functions specifically for use in occupational therapy were found by the search. However, only one of these instruments (Loewenstein Occupational Therapy Cognitive Assessment) is validated and adapted for the Brazilian population. Professionals should be able to choose between different types of instrument, according to the patient's needs and clinical practice, because patients are evaluated during the different stages of diseases and injuries and these tools assist during the rehabilitation process. Moreover, different rehabilitation settings (hospital, outpatient clinic, community) require different assessment tools for individuals at different stages of recovery, so different tools are required to provide better understanding and aid planning of rehabilitation. When the health professional decides to use an instrument to evaluate a patient it is essential that the tool is validated for the population target, not only for a given language and culture, but also for the specific disease/injury.88 Conti J, Sterr A, Brucki SMD, Conforto AB. Diversity of approaches in assessment of executive functions in stroke: limited evidence? eNeurological Sci. 2015;1(1):12-20.

The most commonly reported tools for cognitive assessment are described in Tables 1-3. Most of the instruments are straightforward and can be quickly administered. Although found relatively frequently in the literature evaluating cognitive dysfunction in individuals with neurological diseases, we identified few reports of the validity of these tests for this population in Brazil: Loewenstein Occupational Therapy Cognitive Assessment,99 Schlecht BBG. Tradução e Adaptação Transcultural da Avaliação Cognitiva Dinâmica de Terapia Ocupacional Loewenstein (LOTCA-D) e Estudo da sua Aplicabilidade na População Brasileira. Dissertação de mestrado. Universidade Federal de São Paulo, UNIFESP, Brasil. 2011.,1010 Novelli MMPC, Marques NCF, Matteuci M , Mendes RS , de Medeiros AS, Kuga J, et al. Adaptação transcultural da bateria DLOTCA-G (Dynamic Lowenstein Occupational Therapy Cognitive Assessment - for Geriatric Population) para a língua portuguesa. Cad Ter Ocup (UFSCar). 2015;23:251-60. Functional Assessment Measure,1111 Jorge LL, Marchi FG, Hara ACP, Battistella LR. Brazilian version of the Functional Assessment Measure: cross-cultural adaptation and reliability evaluation. Int J Rehab Res. 2011;34(1):89-91. The Montreal Cognitive Assessment1212 Sarmento ALR. Apresentação e aplicabilidade da versão brasileira da MoCA (Montreal Cognitive Assessment) para rastreio de Comprometimento Cognitivo Leve [MD] (Presentation and applicability of the Brazilian version of the MoCA for MCI screening). Dissertação de mestrado. Escola Paulista de Medicina da Universidade Federal de São Paulo: São Paulo. 2009. and Mini-Mental State Exam.1313 Brucki SMD, Nitrini R, Caramelli P, Bertolucci PHF, Okamoto I. Sugestões para o uso do mini-exame do estado mental no Brasil. Arq Neuropsiquiatr. 2003;61(3B):777-81.,1414 Katz N, Itzkovich M, Averbuch S, Elazar B. Loewenstein Occupational Therapy Cognitive Assessment (LOTCA) battery for brain-injured patients: reliability and validity. Am J Occup Ther. 1989 Mar;43(3):184-92.

Instruments that require purchase and training for their application, such as the Loewenstein Occupational Therapy Cognitive Assessment,1515 Whiting S, Lincoln N, Bhavnani G, and Cockburn J. The Rivermead perceptual assessment battery. Occup Ther Health Care. 1986;3(3-4): 209-10. the Rivermead Perceptual Assessment Battery1616 Rustad RA, DeGroot TL, Jungkunz ML, Freeberg KS, Borowick LG, Wanttie AM. The Cognitive Assessment of Minnesota. Therapy Skill Builders: San Antonio, TX. 1993. and the Cognitive Assessment of Minnesota1717 Baum CM, Connor LT, Morrison T, Hahn M, Dromerick AW, Edwards DF. Reliability, validity, and clinical utility of the Executive Function Performance Test: a measure of executive function in a sample of people with stroke. Am J Occup Ther. 2008;62 (4):446-455. were not described in the literature as tools for research, but for use in clinical practice. On the other hand, some instruments are accessible on the internet, such as the Executive Function Performance Test1818 Folstein MF, Folstein SE, McHugh PR. "Mini-mental state". A practical method for grading the cognitive state of patients for the clinician. J Psychiatr Res. 1975; 12(3):189-98. and Mini-Mental State Exam;1313 Brucki SMD, Nitrini R, Caramelli P, Bertolucci PHF, Okamoto I. Sugestões para o uso do mini-exame do estado mental no Brasil. Arq Neuropsiquiatr. 2003;61(3B):777-81.,1414 Katz N, Itzkovich M, Averbuch S, Elazar B. Loewenstein Occupational Therapy Cognitive Assessment (LOTCA) battery for brain-injured patients: reliability and validity. Am J Occup Ther. 1989 Mar;43(3):184-92. however, the manual must be followed during assessment administration and is readily found in the literature and validated in other populations.

Some of the instruments described in the tables are more specific for Dementia (Alzheimer's disease Assessment Scale, Informant Questionnaire on Cognitive Decline in the Elderly, and SIDAM Portuguese Version); however. they can be used for screening cognitive impairment. These types of tools may alert the OT about cognitive impairment and possible need for referral to a specialized professional for assessment and diagnosis. In addition, most of the instruments to assess cognitive decline described in Table 3 are administrated by a neuropsychologist.

Virtual ecological assessment tools , such as the Virtual Action Planning Supermarket - VAP-S1919 Josman N, Kizony R, Hof E, Goldenberg K, Weiss PL, Klinger E. Using the virtual action planning-supermarket for evaluating executive functions in people with stroke. J Stroke Cereb Dis. 2014;23(5):879-887. and Virtual Multiple Errands test,1919 Josman N, Kizony R, Hof E, Goldenberg K, Weiss PL, Klinger E. Using the virtual action planning-supermarket for evaluating executive functions in people with stroke. J Stroke Cereb Dis. 2014;23(5):879-887. are now more commonly found in the literature because these instruments are suitable for clinical practice and clinical research. They simulate a real environment and demonstrate how the patient should manage in a new situation and in an unfamiliar setting. In the hospital setting or rehabilitation clinics, virtual assessment tools can be very effective because not all patients are allowed to leave their wards for evaluation in a different setting. In addition, these tools may also help to ascertain whether patients with severe impairment will be able to use the computer in their daily routine (communication, cognitive training, groceries shopping, paying bills, leisure, clothes shopping, and even for leisure).

The Cognitive Assessment of Minnesota1717 Baum CM, Connor LT, Morrison T, Hahn M, Dromerick AW, Edwards DF. Reliability, validity, and clinical utility of the Executive Function Performance Test: a measure of executive function in a sample of people with stroke. Am J Occup Ther. 2008;62 (4):446-455. is a more complete instrument for Occupational Therapists to evaluate their patients during the initial assessment before planning the rehabilitation process. The Executive Function Performance Test1818 Folstein MF, Folstein SE, McHugh PR. "Mini-mental state". A practical method for grading the cognitive state of patients for the clinician. J Psychiatr Res. 1975; 12(3):189-98. and Rivermead Perceptual Assessment Battery1616 Rustad RA, DeGroot TL, Jungkunz ML, Freeberg KS, Borowick LG, Wanttie AM. The Cognitive Assessment of Minnesota. Therapy Skill Builders: San Antonio, TX. 1993. are instruments for specific cognitive functions, i.e. these instruments can show the impairments in details.

After an appropriate evaluation, it is time to plan the rehabilitation process for the patient. In case of cognitive rehabilitation after a brain injury or disease, normally we describe patients with brain injury; however, there is a lack of evidence on cognitive rehabilitation and effectiveness.2020 Knight C, Alderman N, Burgess PW. Development of a simplified version of the Multiple Errands Test for use in hospital settings. Neuropsychol Rehab. 2002;12 (3):231-55. In another study, the author described evidence for the effectiveness of the treatment of language and perceptions of individuals with traumatic brain injury and stroke.2121 Rohling ML, Faust ME, Beverly B, Demakis G. Effectiveness of cognitive rehabilitation following acquired brain injury: a meta-analytic re-examination of Cicerone, et al. (2000, 2005) systematic reviews. Neuropsychology. 2009;23(1):20-39. They also discussed the benefits for treating attention, memory, executive dysfunction, and functional communication in individuals with traumatic brain injury, according to recommendations establishing parameters for effective treatment.2121 Rohling ML, Faust ME, Beverly B, Demakis G. Effectiveness of cognitive rehabilitation following acquired brain injury: a meta-analytic re-examination of Cicerone, et al. (2000, 2005) systematic reviews. Neuropsychology. 2009;23(1):20-39.

The main limitations of these studies are the low number of studies in this area compared with those on physical dysfunction; a lack of psychometric data for the instruments, especially in Portuguese; and limited evidence to define the best instrument for different diseases or injury and at different stages of recovery.

The limitations of this review were: a lack of instruments validated in Brazil; few studies developed for OT relative to those for other health professionals. As discussed, it is essential to have more than one instrument to choose from when evaluating a patient, because sometimes a specific function is impaired whereas in other cases all cognitive functions need evaluating.

In conclusion, understanding the cognitive impairments begins with a complete evaluation of the patient's deficits. These deficits have an impact on the functional status and quality of life of patients, therefore these impairments should be of concern to all members of the health professional team, including occupational therapists when planning the rehabilitation program. For this reason, is important to define the best instruments for this purpose based on the evidence in the literature.

Despite the lack of instruments specific for OT in Brazil, there are many others tools that can help OT understand the cognitive impairment and how it affects functional status. On the other hand, instruments developed by OT for OT seem to be more effective for clinical practice, due to the intrinsic understanding of how impairments interfere in daily routine activities.

Translation and validation of the instruments for different cultures and languages is essential to help occupational therapists better understand their patients. Further research in this area should be carried out, given the impact of these deficits on the rehabilitation and life of these individuals.

  • This study was conducted at the Occupational Therapy Division of the Hospital das Clínicas/Sao Paulo University, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.

REFERENCES

  • 1
    Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary (2015). http://www.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/learner/cognitionAccessed in 09/07/2015.
    » http://www.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/learner/cognition
  • 2
    Grieve J & Gnanasekaran L. Editors. Neuropsychology for occupational therapists: cognition in occupational performance. Third edition, Hoboken NJ, Wiley-Blackwell; 2008.
  • 3
    Lopes AM, Hototian SR, Bustamante SEZ, Azevedo D, Tatsch M, Bazzarella MC, et al. Prevalence of cognitive and functional impairment in a community sample in Ribeirão Preto, Brazil. Int J Geriatr Psychol. 2007;22:770-6.
  • 4
    Rait G, Fletcher A, Smeeth L, Brayne C, Stirling S, Nunes M, et al. Prevalence of cognitive impairment: results from the MRC trial of assessment and management of older people in the community. Age Ageing. 2005;34(3):242-8.
  • 5
    Melia K, Law P, Sidebottom L, Bewick K, Danziger S, Schold-Davis E, et al. Reccomendation for Best Practice in Cognitive Rehabilitation: Acquired Brain Injury. The Society for Cognitive Rehabilitation. 2004. https://www.societyforcognitiverehab.org/membership-and-certification/documents/EditedRecsBestPrac.pdf Accessed in 09/07/2016
    » https://www.societyforcognitiverehab.org/membership-and-certification/documents/EditedRecsBestPrac.pdf
  • 6
    Cheney P, Rivera-Finnen L. Occupational Therapy's Role in Adult Cognitive Disorders. The American Occupational Therapy Association. The Fact Sheet. 2011. https://www.aota.org/~/media/Corporate/Files/AboutOT/Professionals/WhatIsOT/PA/Facts/Cognitive-Disorders-Fact-Sheet.pdf). Accessed in 09/07/2016
    » https://www.aota.org/~/media/Corporate/Files/AboutOT/Professionals/WhatIsOT/PA/Facts/Cognitive-Disorders-Fact-Sheet.pdf
  • 7
    Giles GM, Radomski MV, Champagne T, Corcoran MA, Gillen G, Kuhaneck HM, et al. Cognition, Cognitive Rehabilitation, and Occupational Performance. Am J Occup Ther. 2013;67(Suppl):S9-S31.
  • 8
    Conti J, Sterr A, Brucki SMD, Conforto AB. Diversity of approaches in assessment of executive functions in stroke: limited evidence? eNeurological Sci. 2015;1(1):12-20.
  • 9
    Schlecht BBG. Tradução e Adaptação Transcultural da Avaliação Cognitiva Dinâmica de Terapia Ocupacional Loewenstein (LOTCA-D) e Estudo da sua Aplicabilidade na População Brasileira. Dissertação de mestrado. Universidade Federal de São Paulo, UNIFESP, Brasil. 2011.
  • 10
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Publication Dates

  • Publication in this collection
    Apr-Jun 2017

History

  • Received
    28 Jan 2017
  • Accepted
    24 May 2017
Academia Brasileira de Neurologia, Departamento de Neurologia Cognitiva e Envelhecimento R. Vergueiro, 1353 sl.1404 - Ed. Top Towers Offices, Torre Norte, São Paulo, SP, Brazil, CEP 04101-000, Tel.: +55 11 5084-9463 | +55 11 5083-3876 - São Paulo - SP - Brazil
E-mail: revistadementia@abneuro.org.br | demneuropsy@uol.com.br