MIND-Matosinhos: Multiple Interventions to Prevent Cognitive Decline

Multiple Interventions to Prevent Cognitive Decline (MIND-Matosinhos) - a Randomized Controlled Trial

The present study aims to quantify the impact of a multidomain approach to prevent cognitive decline in individuals from the general population at-high risk of dementia. It will be based on five distinct components: 1) cognitive training; 2) physical exercise; 3) nutrition education; 4) capacitation to deal with cognitive decline; 5) assessment and correction of hearing loss.

This is a community-based randomized controlled trial (RCT), which will be implemented in Matosinhos municipality (Portugal) and will be conducted over three months, possibly extensible up to 12 months.

Eligible individuals (n=300) will be randomized (1:1) into two arms: intervention and control groups. The intervention plan will be composed by five non-pharmacological strategies, namely: 1) cognitive training; 2) physical exercise; 3) nutrition education; 4) capacitation to deal with cognitive decline; 5) assessment and correction of hearing loss. This plan will be applied to both groups, but with lower intensity among the control group.

Participants' characteristics will be assessed at baseline and at three months; for those who complete one year of intervention, additional follow-ups at six and 12 months after the beginning of the intervention will be conducted. These evaluations will cover the following domains: sociodemographic, lifestyle, health and anthropometric characteristics; cognitive function; subjective memory complains; symptoms of anxiety and depression; quality of life; physical performance; levels of glycated hemoglobin and 24-hour urinary sodium, potassium, creatinine excretion as well as pH.

The results of the present study may guide future clinical practices and health policies aiming to prevent cognitive decline and reduce the overall burden of dementia.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Age 18-85 years;
• Score equal or higher than the validated cutoff points defined as 2 standard deviations below the mean for age and education in the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA);
• ≥6 points on the Cardiovascular Risk Factors, Aging and Dementia Dementia Risk Score (CAIDE);
• ≥4 years of schooling.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Medical disability that contraindicates physical activity;
• Lack of autonomy in daily activities;
• Previous diagnosis of dementia or severe incapacity.