Memory assessment instruments for post-intensive care unit patients: a scoping review protocol

Introduction: Cognitive impairment is a frequent and disabling consequence among survivors of critical illness, with memory dysfunction being one of the most prevalent and impactful sequelae after discharge from intensive care units. Memory disturbances can significantly affect recovery, autonomy, and overall quality of life. Although various instruments exist to assess memory in clinical practice, the extent to which these tools have been specifically applied, validated, and characterized in patients after intensive care remains unclear. Objectives: To map and describe the available literature on instruments used to assess memory in adult patients after discharge from intensive care, focusing on their types, measurement properties, and contexts of use. Methodology: This scoping review will follow the Joanna Briggs Institute methodological guidance and aims to answer the question: What memory assessment instruments are used in adult patients after discharge from intensive care units? The search strategy will include multiple international databases and sources of grey literature, with no restrictions on language or publication date. Article selection will follow the recommendations of the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews. Studies eligible for inclusion will involve adult survivors of intensive care in any clinical or community context, reporting on instruments used to assess memory function or memories related to the intensive care experience. Conclusion: This scoping review will systematically map and synthesize evidence on instruments for memory assessment after intensive care, identifying existing tools and gaps to inform clinical practice and future research focused on cognitive recovery.