Cognitive assessment tools for detecting mild cognitive impairment (MCI) in Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) older adults: a systematic review protocol of evidence from English-speaking OECD countries

Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) people make up 25% of the Australian population (AIHW, 2024), and dementia diagnosis and care in this population are often delayed due to communication barriers and cultural differences (AIHW, 2023). Early detection of dementia, including Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI), reduces the likelihood of progression to dementia and delays full onset, giving caregivers time to prepare (Perry-Young et al., 2018). A joint initiative by New South Wales Health and the Agency for Clinical Innovation has listed 55 screening and assessment tools for cognition, mood, behaviours, dementia, and delirium. However, for assessing dementia symptoms in the CALD population, only one tool is listed: the RUDAS (Rowland Universal Dementia Assessment Scale), a six-item questionnaire developed by Storey et al. in 2004 and last updated in 2007. This tool is designed for dementia screening and is not specifically tailored to MCI.

A meta-analysis of 13 longitudinal cohort studies on ageing by Mahalingam et al. (2023) found that social connections, including structure (frequent family and community engagement), function (social support), and quality (not being lonely), were associated with a lower risk of MCI. Therefore, it is central to identify and support early signs of cognitive decline and dementia to deliver culturally responsive care for the CALD population. This systematic review will synthesise the available evidence on MCI screening tools, providing the basis for the next phase of the research project, namely the development of a self-administered MCI screening tool for the CALD population.