The Mini-Oxford Cognitive Screen (Mini-OCS): A Very Brief Cognitive Screen for Use in Chronic Stroke

OBJECTIVES: There is currently no dedicated cognitive screen for chronic stroke survivors, with primary care and community settings currently using dementia tools which can often be inappropriate for stroke survivors. We aimed to standardise, norm, and psychometrically validate the Mini-Oxford Cognitive Screen (Mini-OCS), a very brief (<8 minute) cognitive screen for use in chronic stroke.

METHODS: Existing full form OCS data for 464 participants who were at least 6 months post stroke was analysed to determine the possibility of a short form. Additionally, theoretical choices were made to adapt the short form to be suitable for use in chronic stroke. The newly standardised mini-OCS was then completed by 164 neurologically healthy controls (Mage = 69(SD=12), Myrs of education 16(SD=3), 61% Female, 86% White-British), and 89 chronic stroke survivors (Mage = 69.86(SD=14.83), Myrs education = 14.29(SD=4.01), 44.94% Female, 91.01% White-British, Mdays since stroke = 597.02(SD=881.12), 78.57% ischaemic, 48.81% R hemisphere, Median NIHSS = 6.5(IQR=4-11)) . Additionally, we administered the original Oxford Cognitive Screen, the Montreal Cognitive Assessment and an extended neuropsychological battery, and the Nottingham Extended Activities of Daily Living scale.

RESULTS: Normative data for the Mini-OCS is provided and known-group discrimination demonstrating increased sensitivity in the memory and executive function domain compared to the OCS. The Mini-OCS further met all appropriate benchmarks for evidence of validity and reliability for each of the subtasks.

CONCLUSIONS: The Mini-OCS was developed as a standardised, stroke-specific cognitive screening tool with good psychometric properties for use in a chronic stroke population. The Mini-OCS is quick to administer and highlights cognitive strengths and weaknesses.