BrainHealth 360: cognitive intervention for older adults designed using a participatory framework

Despite increasing evidence of the critical impact of modifiable lifestyle factors and cognitive self-efficacy in healthy aging, programs to address these components have been limited for rural-dwelling adults. Therefore, this study aimed to develop and test BrainHealth 360, a co-created multi-component healthy aging protocol, via a community-based transcreation framework within a rural context.

Following iterative co-creation, implementation outcomes and preliminary efficacy data for BrainHealth 360 were gathered using a mixed-methods convergent design with 40 older adults.

High levels of intervention acceptability and appropriateness were tied to themes (self-efficacy, social connection, and applicability) in the context of individualized instruction. Identified barriers included accessibility challenges and aging-related fear. Participants reported increased memory self-efficacy and implementation of selected lifestyle changes and cognitive strategies. No change was detected on an objective measure of cognitive function nor in participants' self-perceptions of the aging process.

These results provide preliminary support for the co-design approach to develop context-specific educational interventions for the promotion of brain health among older adults, with future testing warranted to confirm the efficacy of the resulting intervention.