Nutrition Module design in Maintain Your Brain: an internet-based randomised controlled trial to prevent cognitive decline and dementia

Abstract

The Maintain Your Brain trial (MYB) is one of the largest internet-delivered multidomain RCT designed to target modifiable risk factors for dementia. It comprises four intervention modules: physical activity, nutrition, mental health, and cognitive training. This paper explains the MYB Nutrition Module, which is a fully online intervention promoting the adoption of the ‘traditional’ Mediterranean Diet (MedDiet) pattern for those participants reporting dietary intake that does not indicate adherence to a Mediterranean-type cuisine or those who have chronic diseases/risk factors for dementia known to benefit from this type of diet. Participants who were eligible for the Nutrition Module were assigned to one of the three diet streams: Main, Malnutrition, and Alcohol group, according to their medical history and adherence to the MedDiet at baseline. A short dietary questionnaire was administered weekly during the first 10 weeks and then monthly during the 3-year follow-up to monitor whether participants adopted or maintained the MedDiet pattern during the intervention. As the Nutrition Module is a fully online intervention, resources that promoted self-efficacy, self-management, and process of change were important elements to be included in the module development. The Nutrition Module is unique in that it is able to individualize the dietary advice according to both the medical and dietary history of each participant; the results from this unique intervention will contribute substantively to the evidence that links the Mediterranean-type diet with cognitive function and the prevention of dementia and will increase our understanding of the benefits of a MedDiet in a Western country.

Behaviour Change Techniques Used in Mediterranean Diet Interventions for Older Adults: A Systematic Scoping Review

“…The fully online nutrition module promotes the adoption of the Mediterranean diet and is administered to participants who report dietary intakes that do not align with the Mediterranean diet or those who have chronic disease risk factors and may benefit from dietary change. The findings from this trial are expected to be available in 2023 and are expected to provide further evidence regarding the value of digital health technologies for delivering dietary interventions and facilitating behaviour change in older adults [75].…”

“…Another study found that dietary counselling provided by a dietitian through a smartphone app led to increased adherence to the Mediterranean diet, comparable to traditional in-person counselling [27]. The Maintain Your Brain trial is a web-based multidomain intervention targeting modifiable risk factors for dementia [75]. The fully online nutrition module promotes the adoption of the Mediterranean diet and is administered to participants who report dietary intakes that do not align with the Mediterranean diet or those who have chronic disease risk factors and may benefit from dietary change.…”

Exploring the effect of gut microbiome on Alzheimer's disease

“…A good learning system could be used to increase patient compliance AD clinical trials as well. There are numerous examples for utility of these elements in other fields [ [120] , [121] , [122] , [123] ]. Another creative question could be “Do internet-delivered methods of cognitive enhancement influence the gut-brain axis?“.…”

Older adults' needs and preferences for a nutrition education digital health solution: A participatory design study

“…Digital health technologies are increasingly being utilised in the management and treatment of a range of health conditions, including diabetes, 15 healthy eating habits, 16 obesity, 17 sleep, 18 physical activity 19 and depression and anxiety. 20 However, few have been developed specifically for older adults, representing a largely untouched area for potential technologies to improve the health and wellbeing of older adults in Australia and globally.…”