Multiple Interventions to Prevent Cognitive Decline

Summary

The investigators aim to test the feasibility of a pragmatic non-pharmacological strategy, that may prevent cognitive decline in patients with mild cognitive impairment. This strategy is based on five different interventions: cognitive training, physical activity, nutrition education, adaption to memory loss, diagnosis and correction of hearing impairment.

A quasi-experimental study will be implemented in Porto (Portugal), including patients that fulfill all of the following criteria: a) age 18-85 years; b) Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) score greater than or equal to two standard deviations below the normative reference value for the corresponding age and education level in the Portuguese population OR diagnosis of Mild Cognitive Impairment, performed by a Neurologist, during the six previous months, considering the results of a neuropsychological battery; c) Cardiovascular Risk Factors, Aging and Dementia (CAIDE) Dementia Risk Score of at least six points. Patients who have any medical disability that contraindicates physical activity or have a lack of autonomy in daily activities will be excluded.

The program will be implemented in groups of 10 participants, over a period of 10 consecutive months.

Conditions

• Cognitive Dysfunction
• Cognition Disorders
• Memory Disorders

Interventions

OTHER

Cognitive training

This comprises training using using the cogweb software, both in person and remotely: i) in person training: 30-minute sessions, supervised by a trained nurse, twice weekly . ii) remote training: unsupervised 30-minute sessions, to be performed at home at the participants will.

BEHAVIORAL

Physical activity

This is based on 60-minute sessions including aerobic, resistance, agility/balance and flexibility exercises, directed by a physical education teacher and supervised by a nurse, twice weekly.

BEHAVIORAL

Nutrition education

This is based on monthly 180-minute sessions, directed by a nutritionist, comprising: i) Presentation and discussion of healthy and easy to cook recipes by the nutritionist; ii) Preparation of healthy meals by the participants, followed by a period of social interaction between the participants while consuming the meals prepared.

BEHAVIORAL

Adaption to memory loss

This is based on monthly 30-minute sessions, directed by a psychologist or a nurse, who will provide strategies that participants may use in their daily life to cope with memory loss.

DIAGNOSTIC_TEST

Diagnosis of hearing impairment

Before implementing the sessions of cognitive training, physical activity, nutrition education and adaption to memory loss, an audiologist will perform an audiogram to all participants. Those with auditive performance inferior to the reference values will be referred for a medical appointment with an otolaryngologist.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Universidade do Porto

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• João Firmino-Machado, MD, PhD · Instituto de Saude Publica da Universidade do Porto

Study Design

Allocation

NA

Purpose

PREVENTION

Masking

NONE

Model

SINGLE_GROUP

Eligibility

Min Age

18 Years

Max Age

85 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2019-09-01

Primary Completion

2020-08-31

Completion

2020-12-31

Countries

• Portugal

Study Locations