The purpose of this study is to develop and test a comprehensive Brain Health Together program for older adults living with cognitive decline.
Older adults with cognitive decline (including either mild cognitive impairment \[MCI\] or subjective cognitive decline \[SCD\]) represent a large market with important unmet needs. Approximately one in three older adults (18 million Americans) are currently living with cognitive decline, which places them at increased risk of developing Alzheimer's disease and related dementias (ADRD). There are no medications that can prevent development of dementia in people with cognitive decline; however, there is growing evidence that behavioral interventions targeting modifiable dementia risk factors-such as increasing physical activity and reducing social isolation-may help improve cognitive function and could potentially delay dementia onset. Preliminary results suggest that Moving TogetherTM program is associated with significant improvements in cognitive function, physical function, social isolation, and self-regulation as well as increased default mode network connectivity on pre/post resting state functional magnetic resonance imaging scans in people with cognitive decline. The investigators believe that these benefits would be even greater if Moving Together were combined with a comprehensive brain health coaching program.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
SINGLE
Enrollment
208
The Brain Health Academy group will review online content about brain health (1 hour, 2 days/week for 12 weeks) and will complete a brief survey after each module to assess compliance (30 hours total).
The Brain Health Together group will participate in online, live-streaming, group-based Moving Together classes (1 hour/week); Brain Health education group classes (1 hour/week) and individual brain health coaching sessions (0.5 hours/week) for 12 weeks (30 hours total).
The Maintaining Brain Health Together group will participate in the full Brain Health Together program (30 hours) for 12 weeks followed by weekly group classes and six individual coaching for an additional 12 weeks (additional 15 hours).
University of California, San Francisco
San Francisco, California, United States
Maintain Your Brain Online Cognitive Test Battery-Change
These are standard cognitive tests in three domains: attention, executive function, and learning/memory. individual test scores will be converted to standard scores using the means and standard deviations (SDs) of the study population. Tests within each domain will be averaged to create domain scores, and the three domain scores will then be averaged to create a single global composite score. Cognitive scores are standardized, mean=0, SD=1, expected range: -6 to +6 , highest score reflects the better outcome.
Time frame: Baseline and 3 months
Alzheimer's Disease Risk Index - Short Form-Change (ANU-ADRI-SF)
This is a validated measure that combines validated component measures of individual dementia risk factors and also provides a summary dementia risk score. It includes items related to demographics (age, sex, education), obesity, diabetes, hypercholesterolemia, head injury, depression, physical activity, cognitive activity, social isolation, alcohol consumption, smoking, pesticide exposure, and fish intake. Test scores with be combines to create a single global composite score. Cognitive scores are standardized, mean=0, SD=1, expected range: -6 to +6 , highest score reflects the better outcome.
Time frame: Baseline and 3 months
Physical activity-Change
ANU-ADRI-SF assesses physical activity using the using the validated International Physical Activity Questionnaire short form. Participants are asked about time spent (days/week, minutes/day) doing vigorous physical activity, moderate physical activity, walking and sitting in the past 7 days, and responses are converted into metabolic equivalents per week. ANU-ADRI-SF - change range = -94 to +94, lower scores reflect the best outcome.
Time frame: Baseline and 3 months
Depression-Change
ANU-ADRI-SF assesses depressive symptoms using the validated 10-item version of the Center for Epidemiologic Studies-Depression Scale (CES-D). Participants are asked about feelings in the past week with response categories of 0 (\<1/day), 1 (1-2 days), 2 (3-4 days) or 3 (5-7 days). Scores may range from 0 to 30, with higher scores indicating more depressive symptoms. NU-ADRI-SF - change range = -94 to +94, lower scores reflect the best outcome.
This platform is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional.
Time frame: Baseline and 3 months
Loneliness / social isolation-Change
The investigators will measure loneliness / social isolation using the validated measure 3-item UCLA Loneliness Scale, which consists of 3 items (lack companionship, feel left out, feel isolated) that are rated as 1 (hardly ever), 2 (some of the time), or 3 (often). Scores may range from 3 to 9, with higher scores reflecting greater loneliness.
Time frame: Baseline and 3 months
Emotional well-being-Change
Neuro-QOL v1.0 Positive Affect and Well-Being Short Form, which includes 9 items (e.g. sense of well-being, feeling hopeful, life was satisfying, etc.) with 5-point responses from never (1) to always (5). Scores may range from 9 to 45, with higher scores reflecting greater feelings of well-being.
Time frame: Baseline and 3 months
Mind-body awareness-Change
The investigators will measure mind-body awareness using the self-regulation sub-scale of the validated Multidimensional Assessment of Interoceptive Awareness version 2 (MAIA-2). The self-regulation sub-scale includes 4 items rated on a six-point Likert scale (0/never to 5/always) about the ability to regulate distress by paying attention to bodily sensations (e.g., "When I feel overwhelmed I can find a calm place inside.") Scores reflect the mean of responses (range 0 to 5), with higher scores indicating greater self-regulation.
Time frame: Baseline and 3 months
Diet-Change
The investigators will measure diet using the validated MIND diet score. The MIND diet is a hybrid of the Mediterranean and DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) diets. It has 15 dietary components including 10 brain healthy foods (e.g., green leafy vegetables, berries) and 5 less healthy foods (e.g., red meat, fried/fast foods). The frequency of consumption for each item is scored as 0, 0.5 or 1, and the total MIND diet score is calculated by summing over the 15 components. Scores may range from 0 to 15, with higher scores reflecting better adherence to the MIND diet.
Time frame: Baseline and 3 months
Obesity/weight-Change
ANU-ADRI-SF includes questions about self-reported height and weight, which will be used to calculate body mass index (BMI). NU-ADRI-SF - change range = -94 to +94, lower scores reflect the best outcome.
Time frame: Baseline and 3 months
Sleep-Change
PROMIS Sleep Disturbance Short Form 4-item measure. The Investigators will measure sleep disturbance using the validated PROMIS Sleep Disturbance Short Form 4-item measure which asks about sleep quality and disturbance in the past 7 days on a 5-point Likert scale. Scores may range from 4 to 20 which higher scores indicating more sleep disturbance. In addition, we will include a single item from the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index on hours of sleep per night in the past month.
Time frame: Baseline and 3 months
Self-efficacy/Confidence-Change
Self-Efficacy for Managing Chronic Disease 6-item scale to measure self-efficacy for engaging in activities to support brain health. Each item is rated on an 11-point Likert scale from 0 (not at all confident) to 10 (totally confident). The score is the mean of the 6 items with higher scores reflecting higher self-efficacy.
Time frame: Baseline and 3 months
Cognitive activity-Change
Cognitive Activity Questionnaire (CAQ). The investigators will measure engagement in cognitive stimulating activities using a validated measure such as the Cognitive Activity Questionnaire (CAQ). The CAQ includes 11 items that ask how often individuals engage in various cognitive activities such as reading or playing games on a 6-point Likert scale (once a month/never to every day).
Time frame: Baseline and 3 months
Alcohol-Change
The investigators will measure alcohol consumption using 2 items in the ANU-ADRI that ask about frequency and amount of alcohol consumption.
Time frame: Baseline and 3 months
Smoking-Change
The investigators will assess smoking with standard questions about tobacco use ever and during the past 7 days
Time frame: Baseline and 3 months
Global quality of life-Change
The investigators will measure global quality of life using the validated PROMIS Scale v1.2 - Global Health. This scale includes 10 items rated on a 5-point Likert scale from 1 (poor) to 5 (excellent) and includes questions about overall self-rated health, overall quality of life, physical health, mental health, social relationships, fatigue and pain.
Time frame: Baseline and 3 months