Validation of a Cantonese version of the Oxford cognitive screen (HK-OCS) for stroke survivors in Hong Kong

Abstract

The current study reports on the validation of the Cantonese version of the Oxford Cognitive Screen (HK-OCS). Seventy native Cantonese-speaking neurologically healthy individuals were recruited to establish the normative data. Forty six native Cantonese-speaking stroke survivors were assessed on the Cantonese version of the HK-OCS, the Cantonese version of the Western Aphasia Battery, the Cantonese version of Mini-Mental State Examination, the Hong Kong Montreal Cognitive Assessment, the short test of gestural production, the Albert’s Test of Visual Neglect, the Chinese version of the Modified Barthel Index, and the Hong Kong Chinese version of Lawton Instrumental Activities of Daily Living scale. Validity of the HK-OCS was appraised by the difference between the two groups and relationship of these tasks. Paired-sample t-tests showed that neurologically healthy individuals performed significantly better than stroke survivors on the HK-OCS. Positive and significant correlations across related cognitive subtests in other tests were found, suggesting good concurrent validity. Excellent intra-rater and inter-rater reliabilities, fair test-retest reliability, and acceptable internal consistency indicated that the HK-OCS had good reliability. Regarding the predictive values of the HK-OCS, semantics, episodic memory, number writing and orientation best predicted survivors’ functional outcomes. The present study suggested that the HK-OCS is a valid, reliable and comprehensive cognitive screening tool for assessing cognitive impairments in Cantonese-speaking stroke survivors in Hong Kong.