Memory improvements among older adults with memory complaints and mild cognitive impairment after lifestyle intervention: An uncontrolled trial

BackgroundAlzheimer's disease (AD) is associated with various modifiable lifestyle risk factors, making lifestyle intervention a potentially viable approach to prevent or delay the onset of AD.ObjectiveTo investigate whether a one-month smartphone app-aided lifestyle medicine program could improve memory of older adults at risk of AD, including those with subjective memory complaints (SMC) and mild cognitive impairment (MCI).Methods158 community-dwelling older adults aged 60-80 years were recruited, including 31 older adults with normal cognition (NC), 104 with SMC, and 23 with MCI. The three groups were matched in age, education level, and gender. All the participants attended four weekly face-to-face workshops and completed daily homework with guidance from a smartphone app. Verbal learning and memory were assessed using Hong Kong List Learning Test (HKLLT) before and after intervention. This study was an uncontrolled trial.ResultsAfter the intervention, older adults improved significantly in learning and memory, with MCI benefiting the most. 94% of amnestic MCI cases showed clinically significant improvements in verbal memory. Besides, a substantial proportion of the MCI group (57% - 77%) and the SMC group (54% - 63%) demonstrated improvements in learning and memory that fulfilled the reliable and clinically significant change criteria, suggesting that the positive effects were not solely attributable to practicing effect. The extents of improvements were significantly predicted by baseline performance, gender, and/or compliance rate.ConclusionsImproved verbal learning and memory were observed in older adults with SMC and MCI after the smartphone app-supported lifestyle medicine program.