A clinical trial has shown an internet-delivered lifestyle intervention has resulted in significantly better cognition in older adults.
The team, led by Professor Henry Brodaty AO, Co-Director of UNSW’s Centre for Healthy Brain Ageing (CHeBA), calculated a global cognition score from online tests that measured memory, reasoning and speed of information processing, and published their findings in Nature Medicine.
The landmark trial, known as Maintain Your Brain, is the largest internet-based trial ever conducted to attempt to prevent cognitive decline and dementia.
The researchers recruited over 6000 participants aged 55-77 for the trial through the Sax Institute’s 45 and Up Study, to target modifiable risk factors for dementia in general and Alzheimer’s disease in particular. Participants were without dementia but carried at least two of the major risk factors for dementia.
Half of the participants received an active intervention which included personalised coaching in two to four modules – physical activity, brain training, nutrition or depression/anxiety – depending on their risk factors, while the control group received publicly available information.
A Mediterranean diet with limited meat and dairy, an increase in moderate-vigorous intensity exercises and specific types of computerised brain training were among the changes that led to an improved cognition score.