Improving interpreting for dementia assessments: Results from the MINDSET trial

BACKGROUND: The Improving Interpreting for Dementia Assessments (MINDSET) study aimed to upskill interpreters through an online co-designed course in dementia and cognitive assessments. METHODS: A single-blinded randomized controlled digital trial conducted between June 2022 and November 2023. Interpreters were randomized to training or waitlist control conditions with 3- and 6-month follow-up. The primary outcome was a composite Z-score comprising dementia and cross-cultural knowledge, translation and ethical knowledge, and observed interpreting skills. Preliminary analyses were conducted using a mixed ANOVA with assessment period as the within-subjects factor and intervention group as the between-subjects factor, controlling for age. RESULTS: 126 interpreters (Mage = 44.13 years (SD = 12.71) completed baseline (22 Arabic, 14 Cantonese, 6 Greek, 14 Italian, 64 Mandarin, 6 Vietnamese), 3m follow-up (n = 100) and 6m follow-up (n = 101). For the primary outcome, there were no significant main effects for assessment period F (2, 178) = 0.21, p = .814 nor intervention group F (1, 89) = 0.31, p = .548, and no significant interaction between intervention group and assessment period, F (2, 178) = 0.64, p = .526. Secondary outcomes revealed significant main effects for dementia knowledge (DKAS) for the assessment period, F (2, 98) = 8.80, p <.001, and intervention group F (1, 99) = 4.59, p = .035, with significantly higher scores at the 3- (mean difference = 1.308, SE = .31, p <.001, 95% CI .692, 1.924) and 6-month follow-up (mean difference = .814, SE = .31, p = .010, 95% CI .203, 1.425); and significantly higher scores in the intervention compared to control (mean difference = .842, SE = .393, p = .035, 95% CI .062, 1.621). A significant interaction between assessment period and intervention group F (2, 98) = 3.33, p = .040 indicated that the increase in scores at the 3- and 6-month periods were greater for the intervention group. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first time a dementia training resource for interpreters has been trialled. Preliminary analyses revealed an improvement in interpreter's dementia knowledge.