A Comprehensive ONline Program for Cognitive Enhancement, Reassurance and Training

CONCERT STUDY: A Comprehensive ONline Program for Cognitive Enhancement, Reassurance and Training

The CONCERT Study (A Comprehensive Online program for Cognitive Enhancement, Reassurance and Training) was designed to introduce a user-friendly platform to assess and train cognition among old adults.

Our main research questions are: i) Is it possible to provide a user-friendly platform to perform multi-domain cognitive training for old adults? ii) Are there any safety issues with these platforms? Inclusion criteria include: i) Aged ≥ 65 years; ii) Owning a computer with access to the Internet and basic knowledge to use it; iii) Having sufficient English language skill; iv) Normal baseline AD8 screening test; v) agree to join the study with their partners/ close family members.

Exclusion criteria include: i) History of dementia; ii) Severe physical disability precluding to participate in meetings; those using wheelchairs can still join the study with some modification in the exercise program.

Study duration includes 24 weeks of intervention with lifestyle changes (Online: Nutrition consultation and teaching, Exercise, dance, music therapy and cognitive enhancement). Participants have options to continue the study for another 24 weeks.

Outcome will be assessed based on participants' adherence, satisfaction.

The CONCERT study is designed to provide an online platform for the public to provide healthy lifestyle recommendations and assess cognition. 60 participants (30 cases and 30 study partners) will be invited to this project. At baseline, all cases will be assessed with regard to cognition (AD8 Dementia Screening Interview), depression (Geriatric Depression Scale) and gait (Timed Up and Go). Participants will be asked to check their blood pressure at baseline and then every 3 months according to the Hypertension Canada's 2020 Guideline. All cases will be asked to participate in different educational classes, including nutrition consultation and teaching, exercise, dance (waltz), and music for 24 weeks. They will be also advised to accept the responsibility of a plant (Pothos, Spider Plant, Crocodile Fern and Aglaonema) at home. All meetings/ assessments are online. The investigators will assess adherence and satisfaction in all cases after 24 weeks. All cases will be invited to participate in another 24 weeks of intervention as an optional part of this study.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Aged ≥ 65 years;
• Owning a computer with access to the Internet and basic knowledge to use it;
• Having sufficient English language skill;
• Normal baseline AD8 screening test;
• Agree to join the study with their partners/ close family members. Age of family member or friend is not an exclusion criteria.

Exclusion Criteria:

• History of dementia;
• Severe physical disability precluding to participate in meetings; those using wheelchairs can still join the study with some modification in the exercise program;
• Active coronary heart disease or limitation for exercise based on their previous consults with their family physician/ cardiologists.