The FINGER-NL study investigates the effect of multidomain lifestyle interventions on the cognitive abilities of an elderly population. It is a two-year randomized controlled trial among 1,210 persons, aged 60-79, at risk of cognitive decline. The trial is expected to be completed in 2025.
Participants are randomized to a high-intensity versus a low-intensity intervention group. The intervention comprises seven lifestyle components related to brain health; physical activity, cognitive training, cardiovascular risk factor management, dietary counseling, sleep counseling, stress management, and social activities, and one nutritional product (Souvenaid®). The high-intensity group receives a personalized and supervised intervention consisting of group meetings and individual sessions, both online and at study site. The low-intensity group receives online lifestyle-related health education. Outcome assessments are scheduled after 12 and 24 months.
The primary outcome is the change on a cognitive composite score covering processing speed, executive function, and memory. Secondary outcomes include changes in specific cognitive domains, capabilities in daily living, room for dementia prevention, self-rated wellbeing, and lifestyle component specific outcomes. The results will provide further insight in the efficacy and feasibility of lifestyle intervention to prevent cognitive decline and help define specific lifestyle advice.
FINGER-NL is carried out in five Dutch research institutes; Alzheimer Center Amsterdam, Maastricht University, Wageningen University and Research Center, Radboud University Medical Center Nijmegen, and University Medical Center Groningen. It is part of the public-private MOCIA project, which is co-funded by several partners, including Danone Nutricia Research. It is part of the MOCIA project, a public-private research programme financed by the Dutch Research Council (NWO, no. 17611).
