A Novel BrainHealth Index Prototype Improved by Telehealth-Delivered Training During COVID-19

Abstract

Introduction: Brain health is neglected in public health, receiving attention after something goes wrong. Neuroplasticity research illustrates that preventive steps strengthen the brain's component systems; however, this information is not widely known. Actionable steps are needed to scale proven population-level interventions.Objectives: This pilot tested two main objectives: (1) the feasibility/ease of use of an online platform to measure brain health, deliver training, and offer virtual coaching to healthy adults and (2) to develop a data driven index of brain health. Methods: 180 participants, ages 18–87, enrolled in this 12-week pilot. Participants took a BrainHealth Index™ (BHI), a composite of assessments encompassing cognition, well-being, daily-life and social, pre-post training. Participants engaged in online training with three coaching sessions. We assessed changes in BHI, effects of training utilization and demographics, contributions of sub-domain measures to the BHI and development of a factor analytic structure of latent BrainHealth constructs.Results: The results indicated that 75% of participants showed at least a 5-point gain on their BHI which did not depend on age, education, or gender. The contribution to these gains were from all sub-domains, including stress, anxiety and resilience, even though training focused largely on cognition. Some individuals improved due to increased resilience and decreased anxiety, whereas others improved due to increased innovation and social engagement. Larger gains depended on module utilization, especially strategy training. An exploratory factor analytic solution to the correlation matrix of online assessments identified three latent constructs.Discussion/Conclusion: This pilot study demonstrated the efficacy of an online platform to assess changes on a composite BrainHealth Index and efficacy in delivering training modules and coaching. We found that adults, college age to late life, were motivated to learn about their brain and engage in virtual-training with coaching to improve their brain health. This effort intends to scale up to thousands, thus the pilot data, tested by an impending imaging pilot, will be utilized in ongoing machine learning (ML) algorithms to develop a precision brain health model. This pilot is a first step in scaling evidence-based brain health protocols to reach individuals and positively affect public health globally.

Effects of online brain training on self‐reported mental health symptoms for generally healthy adults during the Covid‐19 pandemic

“…Emerging evidence suggests that interventions that target cognitive processes, such as reasoning, attention, and problem‐solving, may also provide mental health benefits. A notable example is Strategic Memory Advanced Reasoning Training (SMART), which is a cognitive training program that targets higher order cognitive control by targeting functions mediated by the frontal networks of the brain (Chapman et al., 2021 ; Gamino et al., 2009a ; Vas et al., 2016 ). Specifically, SMART trains participants to use tactical strategies in the areas of strategic attention (ex.…”

Investing in Late-Life Brain Capital

“…The BrainHealth Project is an innovative example of an initiative focused on establishing preventative, population health-level interventions to protect and accelerate brain health across the life span ( Chapman et al, 2021 ). Based on more than 30 years of research, the BrainHealth Project has developed a holistic, composite measure of brain health called the BrainHealth Index and a brain health training program that seeks to sharpen strategic attention, thinking, and lifestyle choices.…”

Parenting With a Kind Mind: Exploring Kindness as a Potentiator for Enhanced Brain Health

“…Brain health is defined as a state of performing at your personal best and thriving in your life context—not simply the absence of disease. The term brain health as described by Chapman et al (2021) holistically encompasses the brain’s functions which includes aspects of cognition (ex: problem solving, innovation, processing speed, and memory), daily life (ex: responsibilities, sleep, nutrition, and exercise), wellbeing (ex: resilience, quality of life, and mood), social interaction (ex: empathy, kindness, and social support), and neural components (ex: brain blood flow and connectivity). In contrast, mental health is a term that more narrowly focuses on psychological and emotional wellbeing.…”

“…Recent work has highlighted how the different components of brain health influence each other and by strengthening skills in one area, may also compensate for areas of weakness. A case study showed that after completing an online cognitive intervention, some of the outcomes were that the participant felt more satisfied with her social networks and saw improvement in measures of wellbeing, which included increased resilience and decreased stress ( Chapman et al, 2021 ). Following this line of thinking, the current study seeks to understand how a kindness intervention may improve resilience.…”