Title : Bilingualism: Cognitive assessment of post stroke patients in republic of tyva
Abstract:
Introduction: Bilingualism is an important issue in neuropsychological assessment worldwide and especially in Russia. Republic of Tyva is federal subject of Russia, where ethnic Tuvans speak both languages Russian and Tuvan. The aim is post stroke cognitive assessment of Tyva residents, depending on language of examination.
Methods: 185 people were divided into 4 groups. A group 1 consisted of healthy ethnic Tuvans. Post stroke ethnicTuvans were included in groups 2 and 3. In the group 2 cognitive assessment (MMSE, FAB, MoCA) was performed first in Russian language and then in Tuvan. In the group 3 the first examination was in Tuvan language and the second in Russian. A group 4 consisted of ethnic Russian residents of Tyva, they underwent only Russian cognitive assessment.
Results: In both Tuvan groups tests’ scores in Tuvan language were statistically better comparing with scores of Russian language examination. Comparing results of Russian and Tuvan groups in Russian language there were higher scores in the Russian group. Though comparison of results in Russian group in Russian language and in Tuvan groups in Tuvan language did not show any differences. Comparing two Tuvan groups - group 2 and group 3 in Tuvan language it was found higher scores on FAB in group 2 where the second examination were in Tuvan.
Conclusion: Cognitive assessment of bilingual Tuvans has to be performed in native Tuvan language.
