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Online lifestyle trial shows improved cognition in older adults
Medical Xpress / University of New South Wales / Nature Medicine ^ | Jan. 28, 2025 | Heidi Douglass / Brodaty, H. et al

Posted on 02/06/2025 7:33:10 PM PST by ConservativeMind

A clinical trial has shown that an internet-delivered lifestyle intervention has resulted in significantly better cognition in older adults.

The researchers recruited over 6,000 participants aged 55–77 for the trial. Participants were without dementia but carried at least two of major risk factors for dementia.

Half of the participants received an active intervention that included personalized coaching in two to four modules—physical activity, brain training, nutrition or depression/anxiety—depending on their risk factors, while the control group received publicly available information. A Mediterranean diet with limited meat and dairy, an increase in moderate-vigorous intensity exercises, and specific types of computerized brain training were among the changes that led to an improved cognition score.

The trial directly or indirectly tackled several of the 14 modifiable risk factors reported by The Lancet Commission, accounting for approximately 45% of the risk of dementia.

The trial incorporated participants from metropolitan, rural and remote areas, and assessed an online lifestyle intervention to prevent cognitive decline over a three-year period, with follow-ups done at the end of each year. The team split participants into two groups.

The trial specifically tested whether improving lifestyle behaviors could slow cognitive decline.

The intervention modules were:

—Physical activity—Participants were advised to do 300 minutes of moderate intensity exercise or 150 minutes of vigorous intensity exercise per week as well as two days of moderate-vigorous intensity strength training per week, and daily balance training;

—Nutrition—Participants were advised to follow a Mediterranean diet;

—Brain training—Targeted seven cognitive domains (verbal executive, verbal memory, visual executive, visual memory, visual attention, speed and working memory) and allocated three 45-minute sessions each week across the first 10 weeks and then monthly sessions;

—Peace of mind—Participants received a digital mental health program based on the principles of cognitive behavioral therapy aimed at reducing or preventing depression and anxiety.

(Excerpt) Read more at medicalxpress.com ...


TOPICS: Health/Medicine
KEYWORDS: anxiety; dementia; exercise; medicalxpress; mediterraneandiet
A few steps in a healthier direction apparently can curb dementia precursors, seemingly as much as 28% in just three years, if I read the abstract correctly.
1 posted on 02/06/2025 7:33:10 PM PST by ConservativeMind
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To: Mazey; ckilmer; goodnesswins; Jane Long; jy8z; ProtectOurFreedom; matthew fuller; telescope115; ...

The “Take Charge Of Your Health” Ping List

This high volume ping list is for health articles and studies which describe something you or your doctor, when informed, may be able to immediately implement for your benefit.

Email me to get on either the “Common/Top Issues” (20 - 25% fewer pings) or “Everything” list.

2 posted on 02/06/2025 7:33:43 PM PST by ConservativeMind (Trump: Befuddling Democrats, Republicans, and the Media for the benefit of the US and all mankind.)
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To: ConservativeMind

...I’d rather just get old peacefully.


3 posted on 02/06/2025 7:35:08 PM PST by JJBookman (Democrats = Party of dementia)
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To: JJBookman

All of these “cures” involve eating healthy, exercise and giving up booze. You don’t really live longer, it just seems that way.


4 posted on 02/06/2025 7:44:54 PM PST by BipolarBob (My pet termites name is Clint. Clint eats wood.)
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To: ConservativeMind

So, the internet cures dementia? BS. READING helps; conservative sites are #1.


5 posted on 02/06/2025 7:51:31 PM PST by NetAddicted (MAGA2024)
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To: ConservativeMind
My dad made it a few weeks of 90. Somewhat interesting because he quit
smoking after 55 years of cigarettes. He quit at 75.

But a healthy diet and taking a lot of vitamins / nutritional supplements
worked out pretty well for him.

6 posted on 02/06/2025 7:58:46 PM PST by GaltAdonis ( )
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To: ConservativeMind

Exercise is the key.

Without it nothing else works.


7 posted on 02/06/2025 8:47:26 PM PST by Mariner (War Criminal #18)
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To: ConservativeMind

I just think it’s genes, or luck. Live normally. Eat and drink sensibly and moderately. God will take you when He wants to.

This article says that the best diet is limited meat and dairy is best. A study tomorrow will say keto is best.

When centenarians are asked their secrets to long life, the answers are varied and humorous sometimes (I’ve noticed a lot of “whiskey every day”).

My mom was the oldest of four sisters, and they were one year apart in age. Her diet was what we’d consider not the healthiest (meat, potatoes, gravy, dessert), and she didn’t make a point to exercise, although she was always doing something. Sisters #3 and #4 led similar lives.

Sister #2 was obsessed with diet and exercise to a point where you’d want to smack her with her sanctimonious criticisms of others.

Mom lived the longest — three months short of 100. The “healthy” one, Sister #2, died first.

All Baptist preachers’ wives, so no drinking or smoking.

Their minds were sharp until the end.


8 posted on 02/07/2025 3:34:48 AM PST by MayflowerMadam (It's hard not to celebrate the fall of bad people. - Bongino and)
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