Five Lives MED to improve cognitive function in MCI
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Efficacy of digital health app Five Lives MED to improve cognitive function in patients with mild cognitive impairment: a randomised controlled trial
IRAS ID
344826
Contact name
Jamie Kawadler
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Five Lives
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 9 months, 1 days
Research summary
As people live longer, understanding how cognitive abilities change with age is increasingly important. Cognitive abilities generally decline slowly as we age, but in some cases, this decline can be more pronounced. Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) is a condition where cognitive decline is greater than expected for someone's age but does not severely impact daily activities. This differentiates MCI from Alzheimer's dementia, a more serious condition involving significant brain cell death parallelled by cognitive and behavioural dysfunction. While distinct, MCI and dementia are related: 10-15% of those with MCI develop dementia each year, with 80% progressing within five years, making MCI an important dementia risk factor and a public health concern.
Pharmacological treatments for MCI are limited, but non-drug approaches like cognitive training show promise. These programs target various cognitive domains (e.g., language, memory, decision-making) and may include lifestyle interventions like exercise and nutrition. Cognitive training aims to strengthen cognitive abilities through structured tasks, improving both targeted and general cognitive functions.
This study focuses on the Five Lives MED mobile app, a comprehensive cognitive training program for individuals with MCI. Unlike alternatives that often target only one cognitive area or require in-person sessions, Five Lives MED combines various cognitive exercises with physical activity coaching in a self-guided digital format that can be accessed at home from one’s own mobile device, making it more accessible and scalable.
The study will assess the app's effectiveness in improving overall cognitive function in people with MCI. It will also evaluate its impact on specific thinking skills, quality of life, health knowledge, daily activities, and behavioural symptoms. By testing this app, the study aims to offer a practical and effective tool for managing MCI and potentially delaying the onset of dementia.REC name
London - Dulwich Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
24/LO/0771
Date of REC Opinion
7 Nov 2024
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion