Planning and optimising a digital intervention to protect older adults' cognitive health

Essery, Rosie and Pollet, Sebastien and Smith, Kirsten A. and Mowbray, Fiona and Slodkowska-Barabasz, Joanna and Denison-Day, James and Hayter, Victoria and Bradbury, Katherine and Grey, Elisabeth and Western, Max J. and Milton, Alexander and Hunter, Cheryl and Ferrey, Anne E. and Muller, Andre Matthias and Stuart, Beth and Mutrie, Nanette and Griffin, Simon and Kendrick, Tony and Brooker, Helen and Gudgin, Bernard and Phillips, Rosemary and Stokes, Tom and Niven, John and Little, Paul and Yardley, Lucy (2021) Planning and optimising a digital intervention to protect older adults' cognitive health. Pilot and Feasibility Studies, 7 (1). ISSN 2055-5784, DOI https://doi.org/10.1186/s40814-021-00884-2.

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Abstract

By 2050, worldwide dementia prevalence is expected to triple. Affordable, scalable interventions are required to support protective behaviours such as physical activity, cognitive training and healthy eating. This paper outlines the theory-, evidence- and person-based development of `Active Brains': a multi-domain digital behaviour change intervention to reduce cognitive decline amongst older adults. Methods During the initial planning phase, scoping reviews, consultation with PPI contributors and expert co-investigators and behavioural analysis collated and recorded evidence that was triangulated to inform provisional `guiding principles' and an intervention logic model. The following optimisation phase involved qualitative think aloud and semi-structured interviews with 52 older adults with higher and lower cognitive performance scores. Data were analysed thematically and informed changes and additions to guiding principles, the behavioural analysis and the logic model which, in turn, informed changes to intervention content. Results Scoping reviews and qualitative interviews suggested that the same intervention content may be suitable for individuals with higher and lower cognitive performance. Qualitative findings revealed that maintaining independence and enjoyment motivated engagement in intervention-targeted behaviours, whereas managing ill health was a potential barrier. Social support for engaging in such activities could provide motivation, but was not desirable for all. These findings informed development of intervention content and functionality that appeared highly acceptable amongst a sample of target users. Conclusions A digitally delivered intervention with minimal support appears acceptable and potentially engaging to older adults with higher and lower levels of cognitive performance. As well as informing our own intervention development, insights obtained through this process may be useful for others working with, and developing interventions for, older adults and/or those with cognitive impairment.

Item Type: Article
Funders: National Institute for Health Research (NIHR)[RP-PG0615-20014], NIHR Southampton Biomedical Research Centre (BRC), General Electric, NIHR Collaboration for Leadership in Applied Health Research and Care South West Peninsula
Uncontrolled Keywords: Cognitive-health;Behaviour-change;Physical activity;Dementia;Prevention;Digital-intervention
Subjects: G Geography. Anthropology. Recreation > GV Recreation Leisure
R Medicine
R Medicine > RA Public aspects of medicine
R Medicine > RA Public aspects of medicine > RA0421 Public health. Hygiene. Preventive Medicine
Depositing User: Ms Zaharah Ramly
Date Deposited: 08 Sep 2022 01:31
Last Modified: 08 Sep 2022 01:31
URI: http://eprints.um.edu.my/id/eprint/35013

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