An NIA-sponsored study has revealed that a personalized intervention aimed at reducing dementia risk factors may enhance cognitive abilities and mitigate the dangers of dementia among seniors predisposed to the disease. Published in JAMA Internal Medicine, this research suggests that tailored health coaching could be advantageous, particularly for aging individuals considered to be at elevated risk for dementia. This health coaching targets modifiable risk factors including inadequate physical activity and hypertension.
In this two-year investigation, researchers from the University of California, San Francisco, Kaiser Permanente Washington Health Research Institute, and their partners, examined various preventive approaches for dementia. The study involved 172 individuals aged 70 and above who were dementia-free at its commencement. These participants possessed at least two risk factors associated with dementia: lack of physical exercise, unmanaged hypertension, insufficient sleep quality, use of medications that increase risk, depression, diabetes that is not well-controlled, social isolation, or smoking habits.
The study subjects were divided into two groups: one group of 82 participants received customized intervention strategies, while the other group of 90 participants received generic health education. Those in the tailored strategy group had one-on-one sessions with health coaches and nurses to scrutinize their risk profiles and strategize on risk reduction. Meanwhile, the control group was provided with quarterly mailed educational materials addressing all eight risk factors for dementia risk reduction.
In both the personalized and control group, the most prevalent risk factors identified were physical inactivity, uncontrolled high blood pressure, and inadequate sleep. Those in the personalized group opted to focus on these same three factors. Over the two-year duration of the study, the researchers measured alterations in cognitive function, quality of life, and dementia risk factors for both groups.
The findings revealed that cognitive function improved for all participants, with the personalized group experiencing a slightly greater enhancement. This group also showed a marginally higher reduction in risk factors compared to the control group. Participants from both groups expressed satisfaction with the study’s impact on their health.
In conclusion, this pilot study lends support to the notion that a tailored approach to mitigating the risk of dementia may offer benefits to older adults who are at risk for the condition. The study also opens up the possibility of further exploration in larger-scale studies.