Initiation and maintenance of behaviour change to support memory and brain health in older adults: A randomized controlled trial

ABSTRACT

The implementation of healthy lifestyle and memory behaviours has the potential to mitigate the impact of age-related memory changes on the lives of older adults. The objective of this study was to examine whether a 10–hour multi-component memory intervention improves the initiation and maintenance of targeted, adaptive behaviour changes. Sixty-seven cognitively-normal, community-dwelling older adults, age 50–91 (72% female) participated in a randomized controlled trial with outcomes assessed at baseline, post-intervention, and six-week follow-up. Participants were allocated to a five-week, in-person, facilitator-led group intervention (n = 34) versus treatment as usual (n = 33). The intervention was associated with significant changes in participant-reported primary outcomes, including increased initiation and maintenance of health-promoting lifestyle behaviours (personal health responsibility, stress management, physical activity, and nutrition) and use of evidence-based behavioural memory strategies in everyday situations. Individualized goals were attained in both the intervention and control conditions. Secondary outcomes replicated prior findings (increased knowledge and improved memory-related confidence, affect, and self-rated ability), but were null with respect to benefits on general health and well-being. Group interventions that target positive adaptation to age-related cognitive decline via behaviour change are a promising avenue to enhance the health and wellness of our aging population.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT02087137.

KEYWORDS:

• Cognitive aging
• Behavior change
• Clinical trials
• Memory and Aging Program

Acknowledgements

The authors acknowledge Dr. Rosanne Aleong and Rosalind Sham from the Baycrest KL-CARE team for project management and participant recruitment; Dr. Ronak Patel, Dr. Elsa Baena, and Dr. Eliyas Jeffay for delivering the intervention; Dr. Joanna Sue, Dr. Cameron Clark, Dr. Emilie Crevier-Quintin, Wajiha Afaq, Sabrina Scarcello, Areeba Adnan, Luna Taguchi, and Jennifer Pritzker for assistance with participant testing; Dr. Rebecca Levy for guidance regarding assessment of age stereotypes; and Dr. Shafagh Fallah for randomizing participants to groups.

Disclosure statement

Drs. Vandermorris and Troyer have co-authored a leader's manual, participant workbook, and clinical guide for the Memory and Aging Program and have presented train-the-trainer workshops on delivering the Memory and Aging Program. Under Baycrest's Intellectual Property Policy, they are eligible to receive a percentage of the royalties collected on the net profit generated from these ventures.

Additional information

Funding

The authors acknowledge named donor support for the Memory and Aging Program within the Mira & Saul Koschitzky Neuropsychology Treatment Programs at Baycrest. This work was supported by internal funding from the host institution.