Assessment of communication in the diagnosis of Mild Cognitive Impairment: an integrative research review

Abstract

Objective: To review methods for assessing communication in the diagnosis of mild cognitive impairment. Methods: This integrative research review was conducted using the PubMed, SciELO, and Web of Science databases, with the following medical subject heading (MeSH) terms: mild cognitive impairment, diagnosis, and communication. No date or language restrictions were included. Original articles describing criteria and instruments used for the diagnosis of mild cognitive impairment were selected. Articles concerning neurological diseases and those directed to just one of the types of this commitment were excluded. Results: A total of 5,217 articles matched the search terms: six from SciELO, 830 from PubMed, and 4,378 from Web of Science. Using the criteria described above, we selected 11 articles for this review. Conclusions: Diverse methods are used in the diagnosis of mild cognitive impairment. Diagnostic tests predominantly evaluate memory but do not assess other cognitive functions. In particular, no examples of tests exclusively assessing communication were found.