The trial drew 407 inquiries#
Of the 407 people who inquired, 292 completed screening and 73 met the eligibility criteria, according to Bioengineer.org. The 60 who enrolled also completed the initial assessments. Eligibility included a score of at least 6 on a scale used to mark elevated dementia risk.bioengineer.org 1 source for this line, starting with Bioengineer.org
Participants had a mean age of 71.5 years. Bioengineer.org reports that 80.0% were women, 68.3% identified as White and 63.3% had completed at least a four-year college degree.bioengineer.org 1 source for this line, starting with Bioengineer.org
The group reported an average of 2.37 symptoms of subjective cognitive decline, meaning concerns about their own cognitive abilities. Their average score on the RBANS Total Scale Index, a measure of cognitive performance, was 91.8, in the low-average range, Bioengineer.org reports.bioengineer.org 1 source for this line, starting with Bioengineer.org
Initial assessments recorded sleep and activity#
Garmin watch data showed an average of 4,205 steps a day, which Bioengineer.org describes as predominantly sedentary behavior. Participants slept an average of 7.5 hours a night, but their reported sleep quality was poor, with a mean score of 8.7 on the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index.bioengineer.org 1 source for this line, starting with Bioengineer.org
Depression, anxiety and loneliness symptoms at clinically meaningful levels were frequent among participants, Bioengineer.org reports. The group expressed strong motivation to address dementia risk and named an average of 3.4 lifestyle goals per person.bioengineer.org 1 source for this line, starting with Bioengineer.org
The program is designed as a virtual group intervention combining mindfulness and lifestyle changes, according to Bioengineer.org. Mindfulness involves paying attention to present sensations, thoughts, feelings and surroundings without judgment, Wikipedia explains. The trial targets modifiable risk factors for Alzheimer's disease and related dementias.bioengineer.org+1 2 sources for this line, starting with Bioengineer.org
Other studies examine dementia risk#
In separate research, a study of healthy older adults found that increases in tau, a protein that accumulates in Alzheimer's disease, were followed by worsening mood, Brandeis University reports. The researchers used repeated brain scans and depression assessments from the Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative.brandeis.edu 1 source for this line, starting with Brandeis University
Prevention reports that an analysis of ASPREE trial data examined genetic scores for around 5,000 participants. Earlier ASPREE findings showed no significant dementia prevention benefit from daily low-dose aspirin overall, the outlet says.prevention.com 1 source for this line, starting with Prevention
