Background: Various performance-based instruments exist to assess mental function after stroke and users have to select one for research or clinical practice.
Objectives: To evaluate the measurement properties of performance-based instruments to assess (any aspect of) mental function during activity and participation in persons after stroke.
Material and methods: We searched in five electronic databases. COSMIN methodology was used to conduct the review. The strength of evidence was assessed using a modified GRADE approach.
Results: Fifty articles were included reporting on 20 instruments assessing (1) multiple mental functions including ≥ four subdomains (2) attention, memory and executive functions, or single subdomains (3) executive functions, (4) perception, and (5) mental function of language. Highest quality evidence for sufficient results was found for some measurement properties in seven instruments. These instruments included: FIM + FAM, MPAI-4 and EFPT, MET, CBS/KF-NAP, BIT and the Scenario Test.
Conclusions: Further studies of high methodological quality are needed that evaluate the measurement properties of instruments to allow clinicians and researchers to select the most suitable performance-based measures for purpose.
Significance: Results may be used to select the most suitable performance-based instrument to measure mental function during activity and participation in persons with stroke.
Trial registration number: PROSPERO CRD42018086744.
Keywords: ICF; Stroke; cognition; measurement properties; rehabilitation; reliability; validity.