Recent studies have shown promising cognitive and physical interventions aimed at slowing down ageing-related declines in quality of life, but they lack strong ecological validity (brief durations, unrealistic goals, no real-world application) and has yet to show robust evidence that such interventions are stable and suitable in the long-term. The investigators aim to examine whether these interventions can, over four years, significantly slow down the normal rate of ageing-related decline.
This is a longitudinal, controlled, cohort study. The overarching aim in this intervention study is three-fold: (1) to test hypotheses derived from ageing-related theories, (2) to provide robust measurable evidence both in the long-term and validate meaningful interventions, and (3) provide quantifiable cost-benefit ratio to suggested solutions. A cohort of Malaysian older adults will be recruited and assigned to one of the groups, either cognitive stimulation, physical activity, combined cognitive stimulation and physical activity, or non-intervention control.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
PREVENTION
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
400
The cognitive stimulation will comprise of psychoeducation, videogaming, book club and technology training workshop sessions. Participants will take part in weekly sessions that are an hour long each. For every six months, the participants will alternate between psychoeducation, videogaming, book club and technology training workshop sessions.
The physical activity intervention will comprise of walking, Zumba, resistance exercise and aerobics sessions. Participants will take part in weekly sessions that are an hour long each. For every six months, the participants will alternate between walking, Zumba, resistance exercise and aerobics sessions until the end of intervention period.
Sunway University
Petaling Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia
RECRUITINGChanges in cognitive scores
Changes in cognitive scores will be evaluated using Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA). Possible scores range from 0-30. Higher scores indicate less cognitive impairment.
Time frame: 4 years
Changes in electroencephalogram (EEG)
Onset of neural responses to errors in the Go/No Go task will be evaluated using EEG.
Time frame: 4 years
Changes in structural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
Relationship between Wisconsin Card Sorting Test performance and grey matter volume will be evaluated using structural MRI.
Time frame: 4 years
Cost-benefit analysis of intervention
The economic benefits from the interventions will be evaluated and will cover three aspects: financial, productivity and health.
Time frame: 4 years
Changes in levels of human salivary lactoferrin
Changes in levels of human salivary lactoferrin (ng/mL) will be measured using salivary Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) kits. Low levels of lactoferrin can potentially indicate higher risk for cognitive impairment.
Time frame: 4 years
Changes in levels of human salivary C-reactive proteins
Changes in levels of human salivary C-reactive proteins (CRP, mg/L) will be measured using salivary Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) kits. High levels of CRP can indicate inflammation and its association with greater cognitive decline.
Time frame: 4 years
Changes in salivary telomere length
Changes in salivary telomere length (T/S ratio) will be measured using quantitative PCR. A higher T/S ratio indicates better preservation of telomere length hence better preservation of cognition.
Time frame: 4 years
Changes in depression scores
Changes in depression scores will be measured using part of the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D). Possible scores range from 0-42. Higher scores indicating greater frequency of depressive experiences.
Time frame: 4 years
Changes in anxiety scores
Changes in anxiety scores will be measured using part of the Form Y of the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI). Possible scores range from 6-24. Higher scores indicate greater anxiety.
Time frame: 4 years
Yook Chin Chia Professor, Head of Department of Medical Sciences, MBBS; FRCP
CONTACT
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