This study will recruit participants at risk for dementia to participate in an online educational program called Brain Health PRO (BHPro). The BHPro intervention is designed to address modifiable risk factors for dementia through a 6-month, fully online, educational program conveying the best available evidence for lifestyle changes that can mitigate dementia risk, and foster engagement toward one's own brain health. Achieving lifestyle changes in a diverse Canadian population through online education would be a major achievement in dementia prevention in Canada, with widespread personal and socioeconomic benefits.
Eligible participants will be randomly assigned to either start Brain Health PRO immediately or in 6 months (delayed-start control group). All participants will have the opportunity to have access to BHPro for 6 months during the course of the study and will have open access to all content for 12 months following the initial 6-month intervention. Participation will last from 18-24 months depending on group assignment.
Completion and documentation of the electronic Informed Consent Process (from the participant)
Sufficient proficiency in English or French to undergo online assessments and participate in an online educational program.
Technical ability to participate in an online educational program and remote assessments (i.e., regularly have access to a computer or tablet with an internet connection; have access to a desktop or laptop computer with an internet connection at least once every 6 months; ability to send and receive emails; ability to complete online assessments)
Sufficient vision to participate in an online educational program and complete online cognitive testing
Individuals who have a clinical diagnosis of Dementia (based on self-report)
Individuals who are currently participating in or have participated in a past study involving BHPro
Crossover
Brain Health PRO
Other interventionImmediate start of 6-month Brain Health PRO Intervention
Brain Health PRO
Other interventionDelayed start of 6-month Brain Health PRO
Change in modifiable risk factors as measured by a 7-item composite dementia risk factor score after 6 months.
The primary outcome is the change in a composite modifiable risk score comprised of the following 7 lifestyle risk questionnaires: Physical Activity, Nutrition, Sleep, Cognitive Engagement, Social and Psychological Health, Vascular Health, and Vision and Hearing (each questionnaire is individually described under the secondary outcomes). Scores for each risk factor will be standardized (z-score transformation using cohort-wide mean and standard deviation at baseline). When necessary, scores will be multiplied by -1 so that positive scores reflect lower risk (e.g., greater engagement in physical activity). The participant-level mean risk score will be calculated which reflects the average z-score for the participant across the modifiable risk factors.
Change in individual modifiable risk factors as measured separately by each of the 7 BHPro Lifestyle Risk Questionnaires after 6 months: Physical Activity
The International Physical Activity Questionnaire-Short Form is a brief 7-item self-report measure that captures types of and intensity of physical activity and sitting time. The total score is calculated by summing the accrued number of points assigned per question. The total score ranges between 0-9, with a higher score indicating more physical activity.
Change in individual modifiable risk factors as measured separately by each of the 7 BHPro Lifestyle Risk Questionnaires after 6 months: Nutrition
Shorter 11-item version of the Eating Pattern Self-Assessment Questionnaire developed by CCNA Team 5. The total score is calculated by calculating the accrued number of points assigned per question. The total score ranges between 0 and 22, with a higher score indicating more healthy eating habits.
Change in individual modifiable risk factors as measured separately by each of the 7 BHPro Lifestyle Risk Questionnaires after 6 months: Sleep
Brief 10-item questionnaire developed by BHPro sleep module content leads that assesses sleep duration, sleep patterns, and difficulties and daytime fatigue over the past 3 months. The total score is calculated by summing the accrued number of points assigned per question. The total score ranges between 1 and 20, with a higher score indicating healthier sleep.
Change in individual modifiable risk factors as measured separately by each of the 7 BHPro Lifestyle Risk Questionnaires after 6 months: Cognitive Engagement
A 6-item questionnaire assessing types and duration of cognitively engaging activities. The total score is calculated by summing the accrued number of points assigned per question. The total score ranges between 0 and 36, with a higher score indicating more cognitively stimulating activities.
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University of British Columbia
Lead sponsor
Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR)
Collaborator
Alzheimer Society of Canada
Collaborator
Baycrest
Collaborator
The Canadian Consortium on Neurodegeneration in Aging (CCNA)
Collaborator
