Methodology for developing culturally adapted parallel forms of the MoCA test for the russian-speaking population

Objective: To develop a methodology for creating culturally adapted and psychometrically equivalent parallel forms of the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) for the Russian-speaking population, based on a critical analysis of existing test versions.
Methods. A detailed analysis of the stimulus material of the Russian-language version of MoCA 7.1 and available English-language parallel forms (7.2, 7.3, 8.2) was conducted. The study followed a stepwise examination of each of the seven subtests, assessing verbal and non-verbal stimuli, administration procedures, and scoring systems for their cultural and linguistic relevance to the Russian context and their susceptibility to the practice effect.
Results. Linguistic and cultural inconsistencies were identified that reduce the validity and reliability of the test in the Russian context. Key problems include the use of low-frequency vocabulary, images of animals not typical of Russian fauna, and the application of an education adjustment criterion that is incorrect for the Russian educational system. It was established that the identity of stimulus material on repeated administrations produces a pronounced practice effect, limiting the test's applicability for longitudinal monitoring. Based on the analysis, methodological principles for developing parallel forms were formulated: cultural-linguistic relevance (drawing on data from the Russian National Corpus), psychometric equivalence, minimization of the practice effect, and compliance with national standards.
Conclusions. The proposed methodology provides a scientifically grounded algorithm for creating parallel forms of the MoCA, focused not on direct translation of foreign analogs but on deep adaptation and generation of original stimulus material. Implementation of this approach will enable the development of tools that both enhance the validity of initial cognitive impairment screening and provide the means for objective assessment of cognitive status dynamics in Russian-speaking patients during treatment and rehabilitation.

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