# Comparative Analysis of MoCA and DigiMoCA Test Results: A Pilot Study
## 4 Discussion
On the other hand, when comparing the group of healthy individuals with those who only have MCI, the number of significant variables is reduced, highlighting the executive functions, identification, attention, language, and abstraction provided by the MoCA, as well as the orientation variable of the DigiMoCA (i.e., questioning the subject about the year in which the session occurred). This was attributed to discrepancies in the collection of results from the digital assessment method, which experienced capture problems in this specific variable (i.e., the average value was equal to zero in the year variable between both groups). These capture problems were due to a technical bug in the smart speaker's code when providing the outcomes of this specific question in the DigiMoCA. The means of the most relevant variables concerning the DigiMoCA can be observed in Table 4. Regarding completion times, a trend can be observed indicating that subjects with MCI tend to require more time compared to those without cognitive problems, or only with depressive symptoms. Despite this, no significant differences were observed in the means between groups. In some studies, patients with depression had a slower processing speed compared to the control group [33]. It can also be pointed out that the data obtained in this research evidence significantly negative correlations between completion times, the CDT and MoCA performances, especially in its visuospatial dimensions, attention, language, abstraction and memory. The slowing-down process associated with age is also highlighted, reflected in the increase in the average completion time [42; 43]. Finally, age is negatively correlated with the CDT and MoCA and all its dimensions (i.e., visuospatial/executive functions, attention, language, identification, abstraction, memory, and orientation), and the educational level is positively correlated with these same cognitive variables, indicating better cognitive performances in these tasks as age advances, in the case of subjects with more education and a worse performance. This study, while providing valuable insights into the cognitive impacts of depressive symptoms and MCI, has several limitations that need to be acknowledged. The sample size of 73 participants, with a subsample of 57 for the DigiMoCA assessment, is relatively small,potentially limiting the generalisability of the findings to broader populations. While our study provides valuable preliminary insights, the sample size means that findings should be interpreted with caution, and further research with larger samples will be necessary to validate and expand upon our conclusions. The use of self-report measures, such as the GDS-15 and the Lawton and Brody scale, introduces the possibility of response bias, where participants may under-report or over-report their symptoms and functional abilities. Additionally, the cross-sectional design of this study precludes any causal inferences regarding the relationship between depressive symptoms, MCI, and cognitive performance. Furthermore, the multiplicity of analyses conducted increases the risk of type I errors, where significant findings could occur by chance. Despite these limitations, the overall findings remain robust and provide meaningful contributions to our understanding of the complex interplay between mental health and cognitive functioning and the use of state-of-the-art digital screening instruments. The patterns observed in the data are consistent with the existing literature, and the associations identified offer valuable directions for future research. Thus, while the present study followed the design of a pilot study, it remains highly relevant and valuable for advancing our understanding of the interplay among depressive symptoms, MCI, and cognitive performance. As a preliminary investigation, this study provides important foundational data and highlights key areas of cognitive impairment associated with depressive symptoms and MCI, offering relevant insights for future research.