Post-Stroke Cognitive Impairment: A Narrative Review of the Comprehensive Screening and Detecting Process

PURPOSE: To examine screening procedures and tools for post-stroke cognitive impairment (PSCI) to guide future practices and research. METHOD: Searches in PubMed, CINAHL, PsycINFO, and Google Scholar included articles from 2013 to 2023 focusing on individuals with fi rst ever ischemic stroke and confi rming PSCI within 1 year. Thematic analysis was synthesized narratively. RESULTS: Eight studies (two cross-sectional and six prospective cohorts) with 25,443 participants were reviewed. Screening for PSCI was typically performed within 3 to 6 months post-stroke. Montreal Cognitive Assessment and Mini-Mental State Examination were the most commonly used tools, but cutoff scores varied widely. Screening involved pre- and post-stroke cognitive screening and identifying risk factors. CONCLUSION: Signifi cant variability exists in PSCI assessment tools, cutoff, and timing. Further research is needed to standardize screening protocols, focusing on criteria, timing, accuracy, and feasibility. Early and repeated screening with risk management can improve PSCI prevention.