CogCoach-Health trial
Dementia prevalence is increasing and a public health priority. It has also become the leading cause of mortality in Australia and also causes significant disability.
There is an increasing focus on dementia risk reduction and prevention, and it is estimated that around 45% of our dementia risk is modifiable.
The Wellbeing in Ageing team (WiAT) is collaborating with researchers from several Australian universities on a nationwide clinical trial called CogCoach-Health. This trial is led by The University of New South Wales and funded by the MRFF. The trial is investigating whether modifying dementia risk factors through lifestyle changes can support healthy brain ageing and reduce dementia risk. Current evidence suggests that it is never too early or too late to make healthier lifestyle choices that may benefit brain health.
The CogCoach-Health trial is testing new ways to support healthy brain ageing through lifestyle changes around diet, physical activity, memory strategies, and social and cognitive engagement. The study is conducted entirely online, allowing people across Australia to participate if they have internet access and a computer or tablet.
CogCoach-Health is designed for adults aged 65 and over who are experiencing mild cognitive difficulties. It aims to show whether the CogCoach-Health intervention is more effective in improving brain health than just receiving written information alone.
The CogCoach-Health intervention includes an online learning course covering memory impairment and dementia, practical memory strategies, and the relationship between lifestyle factors — including diet, physical activity, social and cognitive engagement, and stress — and brain ageing. Participants also receive access to a brain-training app and consultations with an exercise physiologist and dietitian, allowing health advice to be tailored to individual needs. Technology support is also available throughout the trial process.
The research team hopes the study will contribute to the development of innovative online approaches to dementia risk reduction and provide general practitioners with a practical, evidence-based resource to support brain health in older adults.