Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
Review
. 2019 Sep 19;11(9):2258.
doi: 10.3390/nu11092258.

Face-to-Face and Digital Multidomain Lifestyle Interventions to Enhance Cognitive Reserve and Reduce Risk of Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementias: A Review of Completed and Prospective Studies

Nicholas T Bott  1   2 , Aidan Hall  3 , Erica N Madero  4 , Jordan M Glenn  5   6 , Nami Fuseya  7 , Joshua L Gills  8 , Michelle Gray  9
Affiliations
Review

Face-to-Face and Digital Multidomain Lifestyle Interventions to Enhance Cognitive Reserve and Reduce Risk of Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementias: A Review of Completed and Prospective Studies

Nicholas T Bott et al. Nutrients. .

Abstract

Background: Currently, there is no pharmaceutical intervention to treat or delay pathological cognitive decline or Alzheimer's disease and related dementias (ADRD). Multidomain lifestyle interventions are increasingly being studied as a non-pharmacological solution to enhance cognitive reserve, maintain cognition, and reduce the risk of or delay ADRD. Review of completed and prospective face-to-face (FTF) and digital multidomain interventions provides an opportunity to compare studies and informs future interventions and study design.

Methods: Electronic databases (PubMed, PsycINFO, clinicaltrials.gov and NIH RePORTER) were searched for multidomain lifestyle programs. Studies were included if the program (1) included a control group, (2) included at least 3 interventions, (3) were at least 6 months in duration, and (4) included measurement of cognitive performance as an outcome.

Results: In total, 17 multidomain lifestyle programs aimed at enhancing cognitive reserve and reducing risk of ADRD were found. Thirteen programs are FTF in intervention delivery, with 3 FTF programs replicating the FINGER protocol as part of the World Wide Fingers Consortium. Four programs are delivered digitally (website, Web application, or mobile app). Program characteristics (e.g., target population, duration, frequency, outcomes, and availability) and results of completed and prospective studies are reviewed and discussed.

Conclusion: This review updates and discusses completed and current multidomain lifestyle interventions aimed at enhancing cognitive reserve and reducing risk of ADRD. A growing number of international studies are investigating the efficacy and utility of these programs in both FTF and digital contexts. While a diversity of study designs and interventions exist, FTF and digital programs that build upon the foundational work of the FINGER protocol have significant potential to enhance cognitive reserve and reduce risk of ADRD.

Keywords: Alzheimer’s disease; cognition; cognitive reserve; dementia; digital; health promotion; healthy aging; internet; lifestyle; primary prevention; risk reduction; telemedicine.

PubMed Disclaimer

Conflict of interest statement

N.T.B., A.H., J.M.G., E.N.M., and N.F. are employees of Neurotrack Technologies, Inc.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Lifespan protective and risk factors for ADRD. ADRD = Alzheimer’s disease & related dementias; Figure adapted from Kivipelto et al., 2018 [19].
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

    1. Prince M., Wimo A., Guerchet M., Ali G., Wu Y., Prina M. World Alzheimer Report 2015—The Global Impact of Dementia: An Analysis of Prevalence, Incidence, Cost and Trends. Alzheimer’s Disease International; London, UK: 2015.
    1. Gaugler J., James B., Johnson T., Marin A., Weuve J. Alzheimer’s disease facts and figures. Alzheimers Dement. 2019;15:321–387.
    1. Prince M., Comas-Herrera A., Knapp M., Guerchet M., Karagiannidou M. World Alzheimer Report 2016: Improving Healthcare for People Living with Dementia: Coverage, Quality and Costs Now and in the Future. [(accessed on 26 August 2019)]; Available online: http://www.alz.co.uk/
    1. Wortmann M. Dementia: A global health priority—Highlights from an ADI and World Health Organization report. Alzheimers Res. Ther. 2012;4:40. - PMC - PubMed
    1. Cummings J., Aisen P.S., DuBois B., Frölich L., Jack C.R., Jones R.W., Morris J.C., Raskin J., Dowsett S.A., Scheltens P. Drug development in Alzheimer’s disease: The path to 2025. Alzheimers Res. Ther. 2016;8:39. doi: 10.1186/s13195-016-0207-9. - DOI - PMC - PubMed