Brain Health Training for Healthy Lifestyle

Recruiting at 1 trial location

Overseen By Tracie Lowe, PhD

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: The University of Texas at Dallas

Disqualifiers: Neurodegenerative disease, Stroke, Brain injury, Autism, others

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

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: Unknown

1000 Participants Needed

Trial Summary

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

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications.

What data supports the effectiveness of the treatment Brain Health Strategy Training and Education?

Research shows that educational interventions, like those used in stroke rehabilitation and neurotrauma clinics, can improve patient knowledge, satisfaction, and reduce depression. This suggests that similar educational strategies in brain health training could be effective in promoting a healthy lifestyle. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

How does Brain Health Strategy Training and Education differ from other treatments for brain health?

Brain Health Strategy Training and Education is unique because it uses an online platform to deliver personalized training and virtual coaching, focusing on improving a composite BrainHealth Index that includes cognition, well-being, and social engagement. Unlike other treatments, it emphasizes preventive steps and resilience, aiming to enhance brain health through a data-driven approach and machine learning algorithms. ^{6 7 8 9 10}

What is the purpose of this trial?

Center for BrainHealth is beginning a one-year pilot with local college campuses investigating the impact of (i) brain health assessment and training tools delivered through the online BrainHealth Platform and (ii) in-person educational brain health workshops delivered to college students and faculty/staff, with the overarching goal to better understand how to promote brain-healthier campuses (i.e., reflecting generally positive function across cognitive, social, emotional, and lifestyle domains). This initial study is intended to be a one-year pilot, with findings informing feasibility and efficacy as well as future, more extended and expanded study informing translation to other colleges/universities.

Research Team

Lori Cook, PhD

Principal Investigator

University of Texas at Dallas

Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for college students and faculty/staff interested in improving brain health through online tools and in-person workshops. Participants should be affiliated with the local colleges involved in the study.

Inclusion Criteria

Internet and device access

Either enrolled as a student and/or employed as staff/faculty at UTD or Dallas College

Must be able to hear and read over the computer

Exclusion Criteria

I have autism and need help with daily activities.

Currently or previously enrolled in The BrainHealth Project (NCT04869111)

I have been diagnosed with a neurodegenerative disease.

Timeline

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Training and Assessment

Participants engage in online and in-person training and education around brain-health strategies and lifestyle practices, with assessments conducted three times over 9 months.

9 months

Periodic virtual and in-person sessions

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for changes in cognitive, social, well-being, and daily life health on the BrainHealth Index, as well as academic performance and program retention.

3 months

Treatment Details

Interventions

• Brain Health Strategy Training and Education

Trial Overview The study tests a program combining online brain health assessment and training with educational workshops, aiming to enhance cognitive, social, emotional well-being on campuses.

Participant Groups

Group I: Brain Health Training and Education Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Online and in-person training and education around brain-health strategies and lifestyle practices.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

The University of Texas at Dallas

Lead Sponsor

Trials

71

Recruited

108,000+

Meadows Foundation

Collaborator

Trials

1

Recruited

1,000+

Hoglund Foundation

Collaborator

Trials

1

Recruited

1,000+

Findings from Research

A nonrandomized controlled trial involving 241 post-stroke patients showed that providing additional information and training for patients and their carers significantly improved their satisfaction with rehabilitation support after hospital discharge.

Over 80% of patients reported satisfaction with care during hospitalization, but the intervention group experienced a notable increase in satisfaction regarding information and support accessibility post-discharge, highlighting the importance of ongoing education and community support.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Effects of information and training provision in satisfaction of patients and carers in stroke rehabilitation. Aguirrezabal, A., Duarte, E., Rueda, N., et al.[2019]

An interactive iBook-based educational intervention was successfully implemented in a neurotrauma clinic, involving 202 participants (93 patients and 109 family members) over one year, which significantly improved self-reported knowledge about concussions and traumatic brain injuries.

Participants expressed a strong preference for the interactive iBook format, highlighting its efficacy as an educational tool for enhancing understanding among patients and their families in the context of neurotrauma care.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Implementation of an Interactive Tablet-based Educational Intervention in the Neurotrauma Clinic: A 1-year Retrospective Analysis. Huang, M., Sahyouni, R., Mahmoodi, A., et al.[2022]

Therapeutic patient education is a health improvement initiative that offers personalized support to children at risk of stroke and their families.

This approach relies on specially trained health professionals to share knowledge, behaviors, and attitudes necessary for effective care and support.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

[Therapeutic education of children who are victims or at risk of a stroke]. Micaëlli, D.[2017]

Improving patient education is crucial for healthcare providers, especially for managing the health of chronically ill patients, as it is a cost-effective strategy.

Successful healthcare organizations should adopt best practices from leading providers to enhance their patient education systems, which can lead to better patient outcomes and organizational success in a competitive environment.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

How to improve patient education. Washburn, PV.[2007]

A quality improvement program aimed at enhancing medication education for post-acute neurosurgical patients led to increased patient satisfaction scores, highlighting the importance of effective communication about medications and their side effects.

The program utilized strategies like patient handouts, nurse education, and the 'teach back' method, which proved successful in reinforcing understanding and improving patient experiences related to medication management.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Using evidence to improve satisfaction with medication side-effects education on a neuro-medical surgical unit. Ahrens, SL., Wirges, AM.[2022]

The Barcelona Brain Health Initiative (BBHI) is studying over 4500 healthy participants aged 40-65 to identify lifestyle and biological factors that influence brain health, using online questionnaires and in-depth evaluations.

A controlled multi-dimensional lifestyle intervention will be tested on a subgroup of 500 participants to assess its impact on cognitive function and brain structure, with results expected to enhance our understanding of how to maintain brain health throughout life.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The Barcelona Brain Health Initiative: A Cohort Study to Define and Promote Determinants of Brain Health. Cattaneo, G., Bartrés-Faz, D., Morris, TP., et al.[2023]

The rise of 'brain fitness' technology products, including games and apps, has emerged in response to the lack of effective Alzheimer's treatments, but these products may not realistically improve cognitive health as claimed.

A broader approach to brain health is suggested, emphasizing the importance of community and relationships in supporting cognitive and psychosocial well-being, as demonstrated by innovative practices at The Intergenerational School in Cleveland, OH.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Marketplace of memory: what the brain fitness technology industry says about us and how we can do better. George, DR., Whitehouse, PJ.[2016]

In a 12-week pilot study involving 180 participants aged 18-87, 75% showed significant improvements in their BrainHealth Index™, indicating the effectiveness of an online platform for enhancing brain health through training and coaching.

The improvements in brain health were linked to various factors, including reduced anxiety and increased resilience, demonstrating that a comprehensive approach addressing multiple aspects of well-being can lead to positive outcomes regardless of age or background.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

A Novel BrainHealth Index Prototype Improved by Telehealth-Delivered Training During COVID-19. Chapman, SB., Fratantoni, JM., Robertson, IH., et al.[2021]

The American Academy of Neurology (AAN) has launched the Brain Health Initiative to promote brain health as a vital aspect of public engagement, aiming to prevent neurological disorders through early identification and intervention strategies.

The initiative includes a new definition of brain health, strategic objectives, and a comprehensive action plan that emphasizes the importance of research, education, and public policy to improve brain health across all stages of life.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The Brain Health Imperative in the 21st Century-A Call to Action: The AAN Brain Health Platform and Position Statement. Rost, NS., Salinas, J., Jordan, JT., et al.[2023]

Internet brain training programs engage consumers directly in neuroscience research, but this dual role as subjects and funders raises concerns about privacy and data security.

There is a need for safeguards to protect participants' privacy and ensure ethical practices in the growing field of big data related to neuroscience.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Internet-based brain training games, citizen scientists, and big data: ethical issues in unprecedented virtual territories. Purcell, RH., Rommelfanger, KS.[2019]

References

1. Netherlands pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Effects of information and training provision in satisfaction of patients and carers in stroke rehabilitation. [2019]

2. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Implementation of an Interactive Tablet-based Educational Intervention in the Neurotrauma Clinic: A 1-year Retrospective Analysis. [2022]

3. France pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

[Therapeutic education of children who are victims or at risk of a stroke]. [2017]

4. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

How to improve patient education. [2007]

5. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Using evidence to improve satisfaction with medication side-effects education on a neuro-medical surgical unit. [2022]

6. Switzerland pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The Barcelona Brain Health Initiative: A Cohort Study to Define and Promote Determinants of Brain Health. [2023]

7. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Marketplace of memory: what the brain fitness technology industry says about us and how we can do better. [2016]

8. Switzerland pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

A Novel BrainHealth Index Prototype Improved by Telehealth-Delivered Training During COVID-19. [2021]

9. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The Brain Health Imperative in the 21st Century-A Call to Action: The AAN Brain Health Platform and Position Statement. [2023]

10. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Internet-based brain training games, citizen scientists, and big data: ethical issues in unprecedented virtual territories. [2019]