Indonesian Version of Oxford Cognitive Screen-Plus Test in Stroke Patient (OCS-Plus)

Stroke causes not only motor deficits, but also cognitive dysfunction, which is frequently observed among stroke survivors. Most patients in the acute phase demonstrate impairment in at least one cognitive domain. The global burden of post-stroke cognitive impairment (PSCI) is substantial and may affect more than half of all stroke survivors. Cognitive impairment is also reported in approximately one-third to nearly one-half of patients within the first year after stroke. The clinical presentation of PSCI reflects the involvement of multiple brain networks as well as interaction with pre-existing neurodegenerative processes. PSCI has important clinical consequences, including reduced independence, limitations in activities of daily living, and poorer quality of life. This burden makes PSCI a major concern in the management and rehabilitation of stroke survivors.

Early evaluation of cognitive function is an essential component of clinical assessment after stroke. Clinical practice guidelines emphasize cognitive screening as a foundation for rehabilitation planning and patient follow-up.

Commonly used tools such as the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) and the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) primarily focus on global cognitive deficits and demonstrate limited sensitivity in identifying domain-specific impairments, particularly in the subacute and chronic phases of stroke. Several domains that are commonly affected after stroke, including language, visuospatial processing, and praxis, are not adequately assessed by these instruments. Interpretation of test performance may also be biased by aphasia or neglect, both of which can influence the patient's responses.

Therefore, the OCS-Plus was designed to detect more subtle cognitive deficits, especially in executive function and memory, which are often overlooked by standard screening tools.

The Oxford Cognitive Screen-Plus (OCS-Plus) was developed as a digital cognitive screening tool designed to improve the sensitivity of cognitive impairment detection. Its assessment approach allows a more detailed evaluation of memory and executive function than conventional screening instruments. The OCS-Plus consists of multiple subtasks intended to identify differences across cognitive domains with greater specificity. Tablet-based administration offers advantages in the form of standardized procedures and reduced scoring error.

The digital format also enables more detailed response capture and automated reporting of results. Previous studies have shown that the OCS-Plus has good validity and greater sensitivity for detecting subtle cognitive impairment than other screening tools.

The development of the OCS-Plus has largely been conducted in Western populations, where linguistic and cultural contexts differ from those in Southeast Asia. These differences may influence test comprehension and performance, potentially affecting the validity of cognitive assessment. Despite the high burden of post-stroke cognitive impairment in this region, there is a lack of culturally adapted and validated domain-specific cognitive screening tools, limiting accurate diagnosis and optimal rehabilitation planning. This gap underscores the need to validate advanced screening tools such as the OCS-Plus in non-Western populations. This study is the first to culturally adapt and validate the OCS-Plus for use in an Indonesian population, addressing the lack of domain-specific cognitive screening tools in Southeast Asia. Therefore, this study aims to validate normative values for the the OCS-Plus in an Indonesian stroke population.