Changes in cognitive functioning by a multifactorial intervention to prevent dementia‐The Japan‐Multimodal Intervention Trial for Prevention of Dementia PRIME Tamba‐

Abstract

AbstractBackgroundMany efforts for early detection and prevention of cognitive decline have been reported. In this study, we examined the changes in possible Nou‐KNOW (Cognigram by Cogstate; Japanese version Cognigram) after an 18‐month multifactorial intervention to prevent dementia in cognitively normal elderly subjects living in areas at risk for dementia.MethodThe Japan‐Multimodal Intervention Trial for Prevention of Dementia PRIME Tamba (J‐MINT), a randomized controlled trial to prevent cognitive decline in cognitively normal older people living in areas at risk of dementia, was conducted. PRIME Tamba), a randomized controlled trial to prevent cognitive decline. 203 participants (male: 57 participants, mean age: 73.86±4.84, mean MMSE score: 28.65±1.36) were randomly assigned to the intervention group (101 participants) or the control group (102 participants). The intervention group received 90 minutes of group‐based physical exercise once a week, cognitive training, nutritional counseling, and vascular risk factor management for 18 months (78 sessions in total). Reaction speed, attention, visual learning, and attentional scores were measured twice (Baseline and 18 months after intervention) by the Nou‐KNOW. Statistical analyses were conducted using a general linear mixed‐effects model with a significance level of less than 5%.ResultThere was a statistically significant difference in the Reaction time score (intervention group vs. control group; 101.62 ± 7.07 vs. 98.63 ± 9.75, p<0.01) and Attention score (100.19 ± 7.19 vs. 98.16 ± 7.56, p = 0.02) in the Cognigram at the 18‐month measurement in the intervention group. On the other hand, no statistically significant differences were found in the Visual memory score (100.26±13.26 vs. 98.63±13.71, p = 0.89) and Working memory score (98.99 ± 8.13 vs. 96.71 ± 7.39, p = 0.29).ConclusionAn 18‐month multifactorial intervention to prevent dementia in cognitively normal older adults living in areas at risk for dementia was suggested to improve reaction time and attention.