The Combined Multicomponent Intervention Specifically in Rural Community Older Adults at High Risk for Mild Cognition Impairment

Elderly Disability (Dementia) Prevention and Intervention Project in Jinjiang Community, China

This project aims to test whether a combined multicomponent (CM) program - including health education, cognitive training, and traditional Chinese exercises - is feasible and effective for rural older adults who are at high risk of mild cognitive impairment (MCI). The program is designed to help maintain or improve cognitive function and overall well-being.

Health education sessions: One 30-minute lecture every 4 weeks, covering topics such as diet, sleep, chronic disease management, and brain health.

Cognitive training: Weekly 45-minute sessions using fun mini-games to train memory, attention, arithmetic, and logical thinking.

Physical exercise: Weekly 45-minute sessions of traditional Chinese exercises (Baduanjin and Shiqiaoshou) to improve balance, flexibility, and fitness.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Age ≥ 60;
• Suffering from chronic diseases, such as hypertension, diabetes mellitus, hyperlipidemia, cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, or osteoarthritis;
• Mild cognitive impairment (defined as Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) score of 21-26 combined with either an AD8 self-rated cognitive impairment score ≥ 2 or a digit span (backward) test (DST) score < 4);
• Mild physical impairment (defined as an Activities of Daily Living (ADL) score < 26 and a Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB) score of 7-10).

Exclusion Criteria:

• Age <60;
• Unable to move physically;
• Already suffering from Alzheimer's disease.