New Study Reveals the Positive Impact of Lifestyle Programs on Older Adult Cognition

Initial results from a two-year clinical trial indicate that lifestyle programs may have a positive impact on cognition in older adults. The Alzheimer’s Association U.S. Study to Protect Brain Health Through Lifestyle Intervention to Reduce Risk (U.S. POINTER) tested two lifestyle interventions on a population of older adults at risk for cognitive decline and dementia. The results provide hope and valuable information for senior care communities working with this vulnerable population.

Findings from the U.S. POINTER Study

Heather Snyder, PhD, senior vice president, Medical & Scientific Relations, Alzheimer’s Association

The study included 2,111 older adults from five different sites across the country. “Participants followed either a structured or self-guided program that both incorporated physical exercise, healthy nutrition, cognitive challenge and social engagement, and health monitoring, but differed in structure, accountability and support provided,” explains Heather M. Snyder, PhD, senior vice president, Medical & Scientific Relations, at the Alzheimer’s Association.

The structured lifestyle intervention participants followed a prescribed activity program with measurable goals and regular group meetings. They attended 38 meetings during the two-year study. They also regularly reviewed their health metrics and goals with a study clinician. The U.S. POINTER Brain Health Recipe outlines specific activities:

• 30-35 minutes of moderate-to-intense aerobic activity four times a week, plus strength and flexibility exercises twice a week
• Regular check-ins to monitor blood pressure, weight, and lab results
• Adherence to the MIND diet, emphasizing dark leafy greens, berries, nuts, whole grains, olive oil and fish, and limited sugar and unhealthy fats
• 30 minutes on a computer-based brain training program three times a week, plus regular engagement in intellectually challenging and social activities

In contrast, self-guided intervention participants were encouraged to make lifestyle changes that best fit their needs and schedules. Participants attended six peer team meetings over the two-year period, and staff provided general encouragement without setting goals.

While both intervention groups showed improved cognitive function from the baseline, the improvement was greater for the structured group. “This extra benefit was similar across key subgroups of trial participants, meaning improvement was observed regardless of sex, race/ethnicity, genetic risk or cardiometabolic health,” says Dr. Snyder. “These positive results underscore the message that healthy behavior has a powerful impact on brain health.

Positive actions can make a difference in brain health, and when combined into a program that targets multiple factors like diet, exercise, cognitive engagement and health monitoring, we now know it can have an even more powerful impact.”

Value for Senior Care Communities

The results from the study are highly valuable for senior care communities working with older adults who are vulnerable to cognitive decline. The study indicates that the structured approach offers clear advantages and can be readily adopted by communities in their activity programs. With an emphasis on goal setting and a structured program, senior care communities can use this information to better support residents and help prevent cognitive decline. Communities that already have similar programs in place may want to reference this information to revise and improve their existing programs.

Additional resources are in progress and can benefit communities, too. In the short-term, the Alzheimer’s Association plans to launch a personal brain health assessment tool, a virtual brain health training program for health care providers, and a brain health roundtable to unite leaders in health care, public health, community, and corporate sectors.

“In addition, the Alzheimer’s Association is investing more than $40 million over the next four years to continue to follow U.S. POINTER participants, and to bring the U.S. POINTER intervention to communities across America,” explains Dr. Snyder. “This investment in these studies will help transform the clinical trial results to real-world settings, such as health systems and health agencies, to ensure increased access to this proven brain health program.”

The Alzheimer’s Association plans to release additional U.S. POINTER studies and data from ancillary studies later this year. Future updates will be posted at alz.org/uspointer.

Paige Cerulli

Paige Cerulli is a contributing writer to i Advance Senior Care.