What is the clinical evidence from this study?

Study design: Systematic Review. Population: Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus and Mild Cognitive Impairment. Intervention: Functional assessment instruments. Primary outcome: Instruments used to assess functionality and their psychometric properties.

What question did this study set out to answer?

This scoping review aims to identify and evaluate the functional assessment tools for individuals with T2DM and MCI.

June 19, 2026Open Access

Functional Assessment in Diabetic Cognitive Impairment: A Scoping Review of Activities of Daily Living Screening Tools

Key Result

Functional assessment instruments for individuals with T2DM and MCI were evaluated in only three studies, revealing marked heterogeneity and a lack of validation in this specific population.

Key Points

This scoping review aims to identify and evaluate the functional assessment tools for individuals with T2DM and MCI.
Conducted a scoping review based on JBI methodology and PRISMA-ScR guidelines.
Performed literature search across electronic databases including PubMed and Cochrane Library up to March 2026.
Focused on instruments assessing functionality in T2DM and MCI populations.
Only three studies met eligibility criteria for inclusion.
Functional instruments evaluated were the ADCS-ADL scale, the A-FAQ, and a predictive nomogram including the Lawton-Brody scale.
High variability in methodological approaches and lack of comparative validation studies among T2DM cohorts were reported.

Study Design

Type

Systematic Review

Structured PICO

Population

A scoping review of 3 studies evaluating functional assessment instruments in individuals with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus and Mild Cognitive Impairment.

Exposure

Functional assessment instruments (ADCS-ADL scale, A-FAQ, predictive nomogram including Lawton-Brody scale)

Outcome

Identification of instruments used to assess functionality and mapping of their psychometric properties

There is a critical shortage of validated functional assessment instruments for individuals with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus and Mild Cognitive Impairment, highlighting a need for future longitudinal validation studies.

Limitations

Notable scarcity and marked heterogeneity of the available literature
No comparative validation studies conducted among homogeneous T2DM cohorts
Psychometric properties remain unvalidated in this specific population

Abstract

Background: Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) is associated with a vascular-executive cognitive decline profile that early impacts complex daily tasks. Despite the increased risk of Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) in this population, there is a critical shortage of instruments specifically validated for this group. This scoping review aims to identify the instruments used to assess functionality in individuals with T2DM and MCI and to map their psychometric properties. Methods: We conducted a scoping review based on the JBI methodology and PRISMA-ScR guidelines. The search was performed across several electronic databases (PubMed, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, Scopus and SciELO), up to March 2026, focusing on the intersection of T2DM, mild cognitive impairment, and the psychometric properties of functional scales. Results: Our search identified only three studies meeting the eligibility criteria. The functional instruments evaluated across these publications were the ADCS-ADL scale, the A-FAQ, and a predictive nomogram including the Lawton-Brody scale. Methodological approaches, sample configurations and reported outcomes varied substantially within the included literature, with no comparative validation studies conducted among homogeneous T2DM cohorts. Conclusions: The notable scarcity and marked heterogeneity of the available literature prevent any definitive conclusions regarding the comparative diagnostic superiority of current functional scales. While gradated instruments show conceptual compatibility with the executive-vascular cognitive decline profile of T2DM, their psychometric properties remain unvalidated in this specific population. Future research should prioritize longitudinal validation designs in homogeneous diabetic cohorts to standardize screening protocols calibrated to metabolic and vascular variations.