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DIGITAL MULTI-DOMAIN INTERVENTION IMPROVES HEALTH OUTCOMES IN AT-RISK INDIVIDUALS AFTER 4-MONTHS

Abstract

Joshua L. Gills1, Megan D. Jones1, Anthony Campitelli1, Sally Paulson1,2, Erica N. Madero3, Jennifer Myers3, Jordan M. Glenn1,3, Michelle Gray1

1University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR., 2St. Elizabeth Healthcare, Edgewood, KY, 3Neurotrack Technologies, Inc., Redwood City, CA

Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias (ADRD) currently affects more than 6 million Americans with rates expected to triple by 2050. Moreover, roughly 33% of seniors die from ADRD with death rates increasing by 16% during the COVID-19 pandemic. Mitigation strategies through multi-domain interventions (MDI) have shown to curb cognitive decline and improve overall health due to the ability to target multiple aspects of an individual’s lifestyle (diet, exercise, sleep, etc.). However, digital MDI may be more time effective, cost-efficient, and useful during a global pandemic. PURPOSE: To examine the effects of a digital MDI on estimated aerobic capacity, body mass (BM), and quality of life after 4 months. METHODS: Adults 45-75 years (y) old participated in this present investigation, each participant was randomly assigned to the health coaching intervention group (HC; n = 102; age = 62.4y; 69.6% female) or health education control group (HE; n = 95; age = 61.5y; 76% female). The HC group received monthly remote coaching sessions and a coaching application on their phone to focus on a personalized program to improve overall health, HE received monthly emails containing information about general health information. Participants completed the 12-item short form (SF-12), 6-minute walking distance test (6MWDT), and BM on a balance beam scale during baseline and 4-month follow-up visits. A 2 (time) x 2 (group) factorial ANOVA was utilized to examine differences in the dependent variables (6MWDT, SF-12, and BM). RESULTS: After sex was covaried out, HC group showed significant improvement in SF-12 (p = .044; η2p =.022), 6MWDT (p = .007; η2p = .038), and BM (p = .002; η2p =.048) compared to the HE group four months after the intervention began. CONCLUSION: Early results demonstrate the digital MDI enhanced estimated aerobic capacity, decreased body mass, and increased quality of life. Although virtual, a health coach was beneficial in improving overall health parameters. Further follow-up analyses are needed to substantiate these findings over an extended period of time.

ACKKNOWLEDGMENTS: This study was funded by NIH-SBIR R44AG063672

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