The design and progress of a multidomain lifestyle intervention to improve brain health in middle-aged persons to reduce later Alzheimer's disease risk: The Gray Matters randomized trial

Maria C Norton; Christine J Clark; JoAnn T Tschanz; Phillip Hartin; Elizabeth B Fauth; Julie A Gast; Travis E Dorsch; Heidi Wengreen; Chris Nugent; W David Robinson; Michael Lefevre; Sally McClean; Ian Cleland; Sydney Y Schaefer; Sheryl Aguilar

doi:10.1016/j.trci.2015.05.001

The design and progress of a multidomain lifestyle intervention to improve brain health in middle-aged persons to reduce later Alzheimer's disease risk: The Gray Matters randomized trial

Alzheimers Dement (N Y). 2015 May 16;1(1):53-62. doi: 10.1016/j.trci.2015.05.001. eCollection 2015 Jun.

Authors

Maria C Norton^{1

2}, Christine J Clark¹, JoAnn T Tschanz², Phillip Hartin³, Elizabeth B Fauth¹, Julie A Gast⁴, Travis E Dorsch^{1

4}, Heidi Wengreen⁵, Chris Nugent³, W David Robinson¹, Michael Lefevre⁵, Sally McClean⁶, Ian Cleland³, Sydney Y Schaefer⁴, Sheryl Aguilar⁵

Affiliations

¹ Department of Family Consumer and Human Development, Utah State University, Logan, UT, USA.
² Department of Psychology, Utah State University, Logan, UT, USA.
³ School of Computing and Mathematics, University of Ulster, Londonderry, UK.
⁴ Department of Health, Physical Education and Recreation, Utah State University, Logan, UT, USA.
⁵ Department of Nutrition, Dietetics and Food Sciences, Utah State University, Logan, UT, USA.
⁶ School of Computing and Information Engineering, University of Ulster, Londonderry, UK.

Abstract

Introduction: Most Alzheimer's disease (AD) prevention studies focus on older adults or persons with existing cognitive impairment. This study describes the design and progress of a novel pilot intervention, the Gray Matters study.

Methods: This proof-of-concept randomized controlled trial tests an evidence-based multidomain lifestyle intervention in 146 persons aged 40 to 64 years, in northern Utah. Data collectors were blinded to participants' randomization to treatment (n = 104) or control (n = 42). Intervention targeted physical activity, food choices, social engagement, cognitive simulation, sleep quality, and stress management, and uses a custom smartphone application, activity monitor, and educational materials. Secondary outcomes include biomarkers, body mass index, cognitive testing, and psychological surveys.

Results: Midway through the study, achievements include a 98.7% retention rate, a 96% rate of compliance with app data entry, and positive trends in behavioral change.

Discussion: Participants were empowered, learning that lifestyle might impact AD risk, exhibiting positive behavioral changes thus far.

Keywords: Lifestyle behavioral intervention; Middle age; Multidomain; Randomized controlled trial; Technology.