Online brain training intervention for over 50s
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Optimising engagement in an online brain training intervention for adults over 50
IRAS ID
188008
Contact name
Anne Corbett
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
King's College London
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, 0 months, 1 days
Research summary
Cognitive decline is common amongst older adults. Whilst for many people a degree of cognitive loss is a normal and healthy part of ageing, it can also be a precursor to development of Mild Cognitive Impairment and dementia, a devastating condition characterised by the progressive loss of ability and function leading to incapacity and death. Maintenance of healthy cognition and prevention of cognitive decline and dementia is therefore a key public health issue.
There is a strong evidence base supporting the value of Cognitive Training to maintain cognitive health in older adults. A large recent online clinical trial showed improvements to cognition and Activities of Daily Living following the use of a computerised Brain Training intervention over six months.
Online interventions could provide an extremely cost-effective way to help older adults proactively maintain their cognitive health. It is now important to examine how people can be engaged in this intervention over the long-term and what factors might be involved in this.
This study is an open trial of an updated Brain Training intervention to examine long-term engagement. The study will also utilise NIHR infrastructure to access anonymous genetic information to explore how genetic factors may affect how people perform in the Brain Training games.
REC name
South West - Central Bristol Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
15/SW/0306
Date of REC Opinion
12 Nov 2015
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion