Study Overview

Dementia is one of the leading causes of disability and death among adults 65+ world-wide. One in 14 people over the age of 65 has dementia, and the condition affects 1 in 6 people over 80. By 2050 this number is estimated to increase to 150 million globally.  There is currently no cure for the disease. Therefore, effective and sustainable approaches for dementia prevention and risk reduction are urgently needed. The landmark FINGER study (Finnish Geriatric Intervention Study to Prevent Cognitive Impairment and Disability) demonstrated that a multidomain intervention, including diet, exercise, cognitive training, social interaction, and vascular risk monitoring, can improve or maintain cognitive functioning in the population at-risk. However, implementing a multidomain intervention is challenging since it requires significant resources from healthcare professionals and often poses a considerable burden regarding costs, transportation, and time commitment.

Using the FINGER trial’s methodology as a basis, our team can deliver a digital multidomain intervention for people at risk for cognitive impairment or with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) with the overall aim to prevent or alter cognitive decline and to offer an easily accessible and inexpensive solution.

After 90 days, 88% of participants had completed the program. 71% indicated that their memory had improved, and 50% reported improvements related to remembering recent conversations, making plans, and completing tasks. The number of reported healthy days increased from 13.6 to 21.4 and the days of limited activity dropped from 9.8; initially to 3.4 at the end.

The digital delivery of a multidomain intervention was a success. A digital dementia prevention and wellness plans can help people at-risk overcome obstacles of cost and time-intensive in-person programs and preserve their cognitive performance.