Healthy Body & Mind Program for Older Adults Living With Osteoarthritis and Cognitive Decline

Healthy Body & Mind Program: A Pilot Randomised Controlled Trial to Improve Quality of Life, Reduce Pain, and Reduce Dementia Risk in People Living With Cognitive Decline and Osteoarthritis

The goal of this pilot randomised clinical trial is to compare a 12-week Healthy Body & Mind Program to usual care in older adults living with cognitive decline and osteoarthritis.

The main questions it aims to answer are:

• Does the Healthy Body & Mind Program improve health-related quality of life in older adults living with cognitive decline and osteoarthritis (pre/post and intervention/control)?
• Does the Healthy Body & Mind Program improve other health outcomes (cognition, pain, anxiety/depression, physical function) in older adults living with cognitive decline and osteoarthritis (pre/post and intervention/control)?

Participants will complete a co-designed and multidisciplinary 12-week program that includes physical activity and lifestyle education (nutrition, social activity and managing anxiety/depression). Researchers will compare outcomes between the intervention group and a wait-list control to see if there are difference in outcome measures (quality of life, cognition, pain, anxiety/depression, physical function).

Inclusion Criteria:

• Adults aged 55 or above.
• Montreal Cognitive Assessment score 18-25 indicating mild cognitive decline or mild dementia.
• Diagnosed with osteoarthritis.
• Able to safely undertake study assessments and complete exercise without assistance.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Montreal Cognitive Assessment score below 18.
• Display an abnormal cardiovascular response to exercise (as seen during the baseline exercise test) and your doctor does not provide medical clearance to exercise.
• Are unable to speak English and do not have a translator.
• Have orthopedic or neuromuscular limitations that prevent you from performing the exercise.
• Are deemed unsuitable for group exercise sessions following initial assessment by an Accredited Exercise Physiologist within the UNSW Lifestyle Clinic.