Brain Vitality Enhancement (BRAVE) program to promote brain health among persons with mild cognitive impairment: A study protocol

Abstract

Aim: This study aims to evaluate the effects of a community‐based program entitled ‘Brain Vitality Enhancement (BRAVE)’ on the cognitive function, physical and mental well‐being of persons with mild cognitive impairment.

Study design: This is a parallel wait list randomized controlled trial.

Methods: The BRAVE program consists of two phases. Phase 1 is an empowerment workshop for training 50 peer mentors to be the exercise ambassadors, while Phase 2 is a supervised exercise program for 250 persons with mild cognitive impairment. They will be randomly allocated to intervention or wait list control groups. For the intervention group, the peer mentors and mentees will be matched according to gender and residential areas to form mentor–mentee groups to attend an 8‐week supervised exercise training. The mentor–mentee groups will continue to participate mentor‐directed exercise sessions in the community thereafter. A mobile application will be developed for self‐directed learning. We hypothesize that persons with mild cognitive impairment receiving the BRAVE program will demonstrate better cognitive function and health‐related quality of life than the control group who receive usual care. This study is funded by a grant from the Food and Health Bureau of the Government of Hong Kong Special Administrative Region in April 2018.

Discussion: This study will empower a group of golden‐aged adults to be the ambassadors to promote brain health in the community and persons with mild cognitive impairment to integrate moderate‐intensity exercise into their lifestyle to achieve long‐term beneficial effects on their cognition and well‐being.

Impact: Given the population with mild cognitive impairment is growing rapidly and expected to keep escalating in coming decades and limited treatment options for cognitive decline and its significant burden on the health and social care system, this study is timely to promote active ageing in the society and reduce the burden associated with cognitive decline.