A Pilot Study of BRAIN BOOTCAMP, a Low-Intensity Intervention on Diet, Exercise, Cognitive Activity, and Social Interaction to Improve Older Adults’ Dementia Risk Scores

Background

Little is known about the impact of short, low-intensity multidomain dementia risk reduction interventions in older adults.

Objectives

To examine the effectiveness and feasibility of a low-intensity multidomain lifestyle intervention on dementia risk and dementia literacy in Australian older adults.

Design

Single-group pre-post design.

Setting

Community-dwelling.

Participants

A total of 853 older Australians (Mean age=73.3 years, SD=6.1) recruited from the community.

Intervention

A 3-month dementia risk reduction program, BRAIN BOOTCAMP, including education, personalised risk information, physical cues for healthier choices and goal setting and planning to target four modifiable risk factors of diet, exercise, cognitive activity and social interaction in older adults.

Measurements

The ‘LIfestyle for BRAin health’ (LIBRA) index was used to assess participants’ modifiable dementia risk based on 12 factors, with higher scores indicating greater risk. Dementia literacy was measured using a modified questionnaire derived from Dutch and British surveys, encompassing knowledge, risk reduction, and awareness aspects. Paired t-tests were used to compare dementia risk scores and dementia literacy before and after the program. Multivariate regressions were performed to identify sociodemographic and psychological factors associated with change in the LIBRA index.

Results

Program attrition was high (58.3%). Participants who completed the program had decreased dementia risk scores (Cohen’s d=0.59, p<0.001), increased dementia literacy and awareness (Cohen’s d=0.64, p<0.001) and increased motivation to change lifestyle behaviors (Cohen’s d=0.25–0.52, p<0.016). Participants with higher motivational beliefs had greater dementia risk reduction.

Conclusions

Improving older adults’ motivation and knowledge may help modify lifestyle behaviors to reduce dementia risk. However, program attrition remains a challenge, suggesting the need for strategies to enhance participant engagement and retention in such interventions.