Dementia Prevention Internet-Based Intervention: Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial and Knowledge Translation (Preprint)

Abstract

Research has shown that engaging in a range of healthy lifestyle or behavioural factors can help reduce the risk of developing dementia. Improved knowledge of modifiable risk factors for dementia may help to engage people to reduce their risk, with beneficial impacts on individual and public health. Moreover, many guidelines emphasize the importance of providing education and online resources for dementia prevention. Internet-based interventions may be effective, but few have been studied rigorously or widely disseminated. We created DementiaRisk.ca, an award-winning web- and email-based education platform for the public focused on modifiable risk factors, featuring multimedia e-learning and email ‘micro-learning’ content, to help raise awareness and improve knowledge of actions to reduce dementia risk.

This protocol describes a randomized controlled trial to evaluate whether exposure to DementiaRisk changes knowledge of dementia risk factors, intention to engage in risk reduction activities, and health behaviours related to dementia risk reduction; and to explore qualitative aspects such as participants’ engagement and satisfaction with the intervention, as well as barriers and facilitators to use.

Using a sequential explanatory mixed methods design, this study first conducts a quantitative analysis followed by a qualitative inquiry to evaluate outcomes and feasibility. Participants are randomly assigned to 2 groups: one accessing DementiaRisk and the other receiving alterative e-learning on Mild Cognitive Impairment. Assessments will be delivered at the following timepoints: baseline (T1), at 4-weeks (T2), and at 2-months post-intervention (T3).

This study was approved by the Hamilton Integrated Research Ethics Board on August 24, 2022 (project ID 14886) and received funding in February 2023. Recruitment took place from March 28th, 2023 – April 28th, 2023, with the final participants completing the intervention by August 18th, 2023. Analyses and interpretation of data is ongoing.

DementiaRisk is a readily scalable technology-enhanced solution for dementia prevention education. It has been designed using evidence-based principles of multimedia learning. It has the potential to scale and spread widely using the open internet, so may be able to reach a wider audience than traditional in-person educational interventions.

ClinicalTrials.gov NCT05383118; May 18, 2022.