Premium
Internet based multicomponent interventions to prevent cognitive decline: The Maintain Your Brain trial
Author(s) -
Brodaty Henry,
Heffernan Megan,
Andrews Gavin,
Anstey Kaarin J,
Singh Maria A Fiatarone,
Jorm Louisa,
Lautenschlager Nicola T,
Maeder Anthony,
McNeil John,
Sachdev Perminder S,
Valenzuela Michael
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
alzheimer's and dementia
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 6.713
H-Index - 118
eISSN - 1552-5279
pISSN - 1552-5260
DOI - 10.1002/alz.044180
Subject(s) - coaching , medicine , psychological intervention , population , dementia , cognitive decline , gerontology , cognition , cognitive training , cohort , randomized controlled trial , physical therapy , psychology , psychiatry , environmental health , disease , surgery , pathology , psychotherapist
Background Following unsuccessful pharmacological interventions, momentum is increasing for prevention of cognitive decline and dementia strategies for which technology and web‐based non‐pharmacological applications provide a scalable population‐based approach 1 . We describe feasibility of a pilot study of an internet based randomised controlled trial targeting modifiable dementia risk factors. Method Invitations to participate in the Maintain Your Brain (MYB) Pilot were emailed to 2,000 people aged 55‐77 years recruited from the 45 and Up study, a population‐based cohort study of one‐in‐ten people aged 45 years and older in NSW, Australia (n = 267,000). Modules were designed to address physical inactivity and inactivity‐associated health risks (Physical Activity), Mediterranean‐type diet adherence and poor nutrition associated health risks (Nutrition), cognitive activity (Brain Training) and mental wellbeing (Peace of Mind) 2 . The 10‐week Pilot aimed to test the procedures of the planned intervention including online system stability. Based on risk factors, participants were randomly allocated to one of four modules (coaching) or information, all delivered digitally. Active coaching participants received weekly module‐specific activities; information participants received static information. Online cognitive testing covered learning and memory, attention and executive function. Linear mixed models, including age, education and sex, were used to test interaction effects (time by group) on each domain. Result Of 2,000 invitees, 425 (21%) consented of whom 271 (14%) started baseline and 144 (7%) were ultimately enrolled into the study. Participants were aged 55‐77 years (M = 65.9, SD = 5.2), and educated for 9‐29 years (M = 16.6, SD = 3.6); 56% were women (56%). Eighty‐seven (60%) participants were allocated to one of the coaching modules; 57 (40%) to information only. Of participants who completed baseline testing; 69% (n = 99) had a full dataset at follow‐up, (63% of coaching; 77% of information participants). Conclusion The pilot tested the feasibility of the intervention in recruitment and retention of participants. Internet based interventions, while theoretically appealing, offer challenges eg user friendliness 3 , technology interface. We describe how these were met in recruitment of 6236 persons for the substantive MYB trial 2 , currently underway.