Internet-Based Education for Dementia Prevention

Overseen By Stephanie Ayers, BA, BEd

Age: Any Age

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: McMaster University

Disqualifiers: Dementia, Lives outside Canada, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: Unknown

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial explores whether an online program can improve knowledge and habits related to preventing dementia. Participants will receive lessons on either dementia prevention or mild cognitive impairment. The trial aims to determine if the dementia-focused e-learning (Dementia Prevention Internet-Based Intervention) affects participants' understanding and behavior in reducing dementia risk. Individuals not diagnosed with dementia and comfortable using the internet may qualify for this study. As an unphased trial, this study provides a unique opportunity to contribute to innovative research that could enhance dementia prevention strategies.

Do I need to stop my current medications for this trial?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. It seems unlikely that you would need to stop, as the study focuses on online learning about dementia prevention.

What prior data suggests that this internet-based intervention is safe?

Research has shown that online programs like the Dementia Prevention Internet-Based Intervention are generally easy to use. These programs educate people about lifestyle changes that can reduce the risk of dementia. As the program is educational and online, it does not cause physical side effects like medical treatments do. Previous studies have found that similar online programs are safe and can enhance understanding of dementia prevention. Since this study focuses on education, participants face no known health risks. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about the Internet-Based Dementia Prevention Intervention because it offers a fresh approach to brain health by leveraging online education. Unlike traditional methods that often require in-person consultations or medical interventions, this program empowers participants through multimedia lessons and bite-sized emails, making it accessible and easy to integrate into daily life. By focusing on education and awareness of dementia risk factors, the intervention aims to proactively promote brain health in a way that's engaging and convenient. This approach could potentially reach a wider audience, providing valuable information that may help in preventing dementia before it starts.

What evidence suggests that this internet-based intervention is effective for dementia prevention?

Research has shown that online programs aimed at preventing dementia can be helpful. In this trial, participants in the Education Intervention group will receive an internet-based intervention focused on promoting brain health and preventing dementia. Studies have found that platforms like DementiaRisk, which teach about lifestyle changes, can reduce the risk of dementia. Adopting healthy habits can lower the chance of developing this condition. The MYB trial found that online methods can be a cost-effective way to decrease dementia risk. Thus, learning about brain health through online courses could positively impact knowledge and actions related to preventing dementia. ^{1 2 3 4 6}

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for individuals interested in dementia prevention. Participants should be willing to engage with web-based e-learning and are looking to improve their knowledge and behaviors related to reducing dementia risk. Specific eligibility criteria have not been provided.

Inclusion Criteria

Live in Canada

No prior diagnosis of dementia

Good command of the English language

Exclusion Criteria

Prior diagnosis of dementia

Lives outside of Canada

Does not have access to email or internet

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

1-2 weeks

Intervention

Participants receive the dementia prevention e-learning or an alternate-topic e-learning lesson

4 weeks

Online participation

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for changes in knowledge, intentions, and health behaviours related to dementia prevention

8 weeks

Focus Groups

Focus groups conducted to explore barriers and facilitators for uptake and dissemination of e-learning

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Dementia Prevention Internet-Based Intervention

Trial Overview The study tests the effectiveness of an online educational program on improving knowledge, intentions, and behavior changes that could prevent dementia. Participants will be randomly placed into two groups: one receives the intervention (dementia prevention e-learning), while the control group gets a different topic's e-learning.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Education Intervention Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Participants in the intervention group will be provided e-learning about dementia prevention and promoting brain health, consisting of following components: 1. One multimedia e-learning lesson on promoting brain health and preventing dementia; 2. A series of 12 'micro-learning' emails (3 emails/week) with small segments of content to reinforce the material from the lesson. 3. Curated resources related to dementia risk factors

Group II: Education Control Active Control 1 Intervention

Participants in the control group will be provided e-learning about mild cognitive impairment, consisting of following components: 1. One multimedia e-learning lesson on mild cognitive impairment; 2. A series of 12 'micro-learning' emails (3 emails/week) with small segments of content to reinforce the material from the lesson. 3. Curated resources related to mild cognitive impairment

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

McMaster University

Lead Sponsor

Trials

936

Recruited

2,630,000+

Published Research Related to This Trial

A web-based educational intervention for dementia caregivers was feasible, with 55 out of 60 enrolled participants completing the study and averaging 8 hours of learning over 30 days, indicating strong engagement with the platform.

Participants reported high satisfaction (89%) and implemented skills learned from the program, although the intervention showed only small effect sizes in reducing neuropsychiatric symptoms and caregiver distress, suggesting potential benefits that may need further exploration.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Caregiver Response to an Online Dementia and Caregiver Wellness Education Platform. Rodriguez, K., Fugard, M., Amini, S., et al.[2022]

The review identified 14 key features that make a Web-based education program effective for dementia care, including being self-directed, interactive, and able to translate knowledge into clinical practice, based on an analysis of 46 studies.

The Dementia Care Competency and Training Network (DCC&TN) incorporates most of these effective features and serves as a promising model for future Web-based dementia training programs, highlighting the need for rigorous evaluation methods like Kirkpatrick's model to assess training outcomes.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

A Web-Based Dementia Education Program and its Application to an Australian Web-Based Dementia Care Competency and Training Network: Integrative Systematic Review. Moehead, A., DeSouza, K., Walsh, K., et al.[2020]

The virtual cognitive health (VC Health) program, a remotely delivered multidomain lifestyle intervention, significantly improved cognitive function in older adults with subjective cognitive decline, with an average increase of 5.8 points in the RBANS Total Index score over 52 weeks (P<.001).

Participants also experienced significant reductions in depression and anxiety levels, with mean decreases of 3.8 points in the PHQ-9 score and 2.9 points in the GAD-7 score, indicating the program's effectiveness in enhancing mental health outcomes alongside cognitive improvements.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The Impact of the Virtual Cognitive Health Program on the Cognition and Mental Health of Older Adults: Pre-Post 12-Month Pilot Study. Kumar, S., Tran, J., Moseson, H., et al.[2020]

Citations

1. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39869903/

Internet-Based Dementia Prevention Intervention ... We created DementiaRisk, an award-winning, web- and email-based education platform for the public focused on modifiable risk factors.

2. clinicaltrials.gov clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT06911047

Dementia Prevention Internet-Based Intervention ... Web-based interventions in dementia have been shown to be effective for a range of outcomes, but very few have been widely implemented or rigorously studied; ...

3. researchprotocols.org researchprotocols.org/2025/1/e64718

Internet-Based Dementia Prevention Intervention ... In this study protocol, we describe a sequential explanatory mixed methods design RCT comparing the efficacy of DementiaRisk, a high-quality, ...

4. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11811655/

Internet-Based Dementia Prevention Intervention ... Research has shown that engaging in a range of healthy lifestyles or behavioral factors can help reduce the risk of developing dementia.

5. sciencedirect.com sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2274580725000950

The cost-effectiveness of an online intervention to prevent ... The MYB trial showed cost-effectiveness for preventing cognitive decline and reducing dementia risk.

6. thelancet.com thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(24)01296-0/abstract

Dementia prevention, intervention, and care: 2024 report of ... The 2024 update of the Lancet Commission on dementia provides new hopeful evidence about dementia prevention, intervention, and care. As people live longer, ...