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

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.