Family FINGER: Lifestyle Intervention Among Older Caregivers

Summary

The Family FINGER study enrolls caregivers aged 65 or older who live with and care for a spouse with cognitive impairment in North Savo, Finland (estimated n=100). This intervention builds on the FINGER study, which showed improved cognitive performance and health benefits, including better health-related quality of life. The intervention will be tailored to meet caregivers' specific needs.

The overall aim of the Family FINGER trial is to assess the efficacy of this intervention on the positive mental health of spousal caregivers.

Specific research questions are as follows:

1. What is the efficacy of the Family FINGER intervention on mental health?
2. What is the efficacy of the Family FINGER intervention on secondary outcome measures: dementia risk, cognition, and lifestyles?

Conditions

• Positive Mental Health

Interventions

BEHAVIORAL

a multidomain lifestyle intervention

The intervention includes physical activities, social activities, cognitive training, cardiovascular health management, and dietary guidance. The exercise intervention includes at least weekly supervised and independent training in aerobic, strength, and balance exercises, along with social activities. The training will be progressive in resistance level, duration, and frequency. Cognitive training encompasses individual and/or group-based sessions, as well as independent digital cognitive training. Vascular risk management interventions include assessments and consultations regarding blood pressure, blood lipids, glucose levels, body weight, smoking, and alcohol consumption. The dietary intervention will be based on national guidelines and include individual and group visits. All interventions will be delivered by trained study staff. Interventions are tailored according to the participant's health status, caregiving situation, and/or functional limitations.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Tampere University

  collaborator OTHER

• Karolinska Institutet

  collaborator OTHER

• University of California, Davis

  collaborator OTHER

• Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare

  collaborator OTHER_GOV

• Carers Finland

  collaborator UNKNOWN

• Alzheimer Society of Finland

  collaborator UNKNOWN

• Tarja Välimäki

  lead OTHER

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

SUPPORTIVE_CARE

Masking

DOUBLE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

65 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2026-06-22

Primary Completion

2028-04-30

Completion

2028-04-30

Countries

• Finland

Study Locations