Abstract
Background
This study explored the reliability and validity of the Boston Cognitive Assessment (BOCA) in a healthy China population to obtain an objective basis for its application in China.
Methods
In total, 111 healthy individuals were recruited as research participants from Changzhou Prefecture from December 2023 to July 2024. The Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) was conducted offline with paper and pen, whereas the BOCA self-assessment scale was conducted online. The correlation, internal consistency, test–retest reliability, content validity, and calibration validity were analyzed based on the relevant data.
Results
Age was moderately negatively correlated with BOCA scores, while length of education was moderately positively correlated with BOCA scores. The overall Cronbach’s α coefficient of the BOCA scale was 0.774, indicating good internal consistency. The intra-group correlation coefficient (ICC) of the total scores was 0.796, indicating good test–retest reliability. The correlation coefficient between the scores of each BOCA item and the total score was between 0.202 and 0.751 (P < 0.05), indicating good content validity. A moderate positive correlation was found between the total BOCA and MMSE scores (r = 0.682, P < 0.01), indicating good calibration validity.
Conclusions
The BOCA scale has good reliability and validity, indicating its reliability in comprehensively and effectively assessing cognitive function in healthy people in China, and thus it can be used as a remote cognitive self-assessment tool for the Chinese population.