From vulnerability to empowerment: study protocol for the EMBRACE multicomponent randomized controlled trial targeting age-related decline

Abstract Background Population aging is associated with an increased prevalence of cognitive decline, functional impairment, and other vulnerabilities that compromise autonomy and quality of life among older adults. Multidomain interventions have emerged as promising strategies to promote healthy aging by targeting multiple modifiable risk factors simultaneously. However, existing multidomain programs have rarely addressed financial and digital literacy, despite growing evidence that these competencies may contribute to independence, resilience, and quality of life in later life. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of EMBRACE, a multicomponent, non-pharmacological randomized controlled trial designed to preserve cognitive functioning and quality of life while enhancing financial and digital literacy among older adults. Methods We will conduct a randomized controlled trial with 120 community-dwelling adults aged 60 to 80 years. Participants will be randomly allocated to either the EMBRACE intervention or a control group receiving standard health advice. Standard health advice was selected as the comparator to reflect usual preventive health information available to community-dwelling older adults while avoiding exposure of the control group to the structured multidomain components of the EMBRACE intervention. This approach will allow the effects of the structured multicomponent program to be evaluated against a minimal-intervention condition. The intervention integrates cognitive training, language stimulation, physical activity, nutritional counseling, oral health support, and a financial and digital literacy program. Assessments will be conducted at baseline, at the end of the 9-month intervention period, and at 6-month follow-up. The co-primary outcomes are quality of life, assessed using the WHO Quality of Life Assessment, and global cognitive performance, assessed using a composite score derived from validated neuropsychological measures of memory, attention, executive functioning, and language. Secondary outcomes include functional status, physical health indicators, adherence to the Mediterranean Diet, financial literacy, digital inclusion, and biomarkers associated with healthy aging. Discussion EMBRACE expands upon current multidomain prevention models by integrating financial and digital literacy into a comprehensive intervention targeting both traditional and emerging determinants of healthy aging. By combining cognitive, linguistic, physical, nutritional, oral health, and educational components, the program aims to address multiple modifiable factors associated with cognitive decline, functional capacity, and overall well-being in later life. The findings will contribute to understanding the effectiveness of multidomain interventions in preserving quality of life and cognitive functioning among older adults. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT07628686. Registered on June 5, 2026.