Cross-cultural cognitive testing in a Scottish memory clinic setting

• Research type

  Research Study

• Full title

  Cross-cultural cognitive testing in a Scottish memory clinic setting: comparison of the RUDAS and MMSE

• IRAS ID

  270052

• Contact name

  Clara Calia

• Contact email

  c.calia@ed.ac.uk

• Sponsor organisation

  University of Edinburgh

• Duration of Study in the UK

  1 years, 7 months, 30 days

• Research summary

  The demographic landscape of the UK is changing. Immigration has steadily increased in the UK over the last 10 years, resulting in a more multicultural population. In addition, people are living longer, resulting in an increase in the elderly population. This will result in a drastic increase in the number of people with dementia.

  A major challenge in detecting dementia within multicultural populations is that the tools used to detect dementia are unsuitable for non-native English speakers. The most commonly used tool is the Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE). However, there are many problems with using the MMSE in non-native English speakers, as it cannot be directly translated.

  In light of this, new cross-cultural tools have been developed. One of these tools is called the Rowland Universal Dementia Assessment Scale (RUDAS). It can be translated into different languages and still make sense. It is therefore suitable for use in multicultural regions. This tool has shown to be effective in at least 16 different languages in many different countries. However, it has not yet been tested in the UK in native English-speaking people.

  This study aims to test the RUDAS in native English-speaking older adults. People who meet the following criteria are eligible to participate:

  • Aged over 65
  • Attending a clinic within the Older Adults Department in NHS Grampian
  • Subjective memory complaints are the primary reason for attendance
  • Capacity to provide informed consent

  People who agree to participate will attend an appointment with the researcher to complete the RUDAS and a questionnaire about depression. This will take approximately 15 minutes. They will have already completed the MMSE at a prior routine appointment. The study will then compare the results of the MMSE and the RUDAS to see whether people perform similarly in both tools.

• REC name

  South East Scotland REC 01

• REC reference

  19/SS/0119

• Date of REC Opinion

  12 Dec 2019

• REC opinion

  Further Information Favourable Opinion