Walker Caitlin S, Noriega de la Colina Adrián E, Li Linda, Boulanger Carolynn, Thovinakere Nagashree, Noly-Gandon Alix, Barnoin Garance, Bennett Mitchell, Caplan Jillian, Côté Laurence, Elbaz Sarah, Bao Shania Fock Ka, Kara Ryan, Lavoie Nicolas, Nguyen Maggie, Otaner Franciska, Pallett-Wiesel Helen, Piché Johanie Victoria, Powers Andreanne, Ricciardelli Sofia, Williams Kayla, Déry Christine, Tremblay-Mercier Jennifer, Poirier Judes, Villeneuve Sylvia, Kramer Arthur F, Geddes Maiya R
Montreal Neurological Institute-Hospital Cognitive Neuroscience Research Group, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada.
The Neuro, Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Faculty of Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada; Centre for Studies in the Prevention of Alzheimer's Disease, Douglas Mental Health Institute, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada; Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA; McGill University Research Centre for Studies in Aging, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada.
J Prev Alzheimers Dis. 2025 Mar;12(3):100039. doi: 10.1016/j.tjpad.2024.100039. Epub 2025 Jan 9.
Physical inactivity is one of the most important modifiable risk factors for Alzheimer's disease in North America. Despite this, most older adults are physically inactive. It is currently unknown how to successfully motivate physical activity behavior in older adults at risk for Alzheimer's disease, and this knowledge is crucial for early and effective disease prevention. Prior research has shown that intergenerational social engagement and prosocial behaviours can enhance the health and well-being of older adults.
This manuscript describes the design of a randomized controlled trial that will test the efficacy of a behavioral intervention to enhance physical activity in older adults at risk for Alzheimer's disease.
DESIGN/SETTING: This is a single-blinded, two-arm stratified randomized controlled trial that incorporates a hybrid efficacy and implementation design. Participants are randomized to an intervention or control condition in a 1:1 ratio and are stratified by a multimodal Alzheimer's disease risk score. All study visits are conducted remotely through videoconferencing.
The study aims to recruit 60 older adults with a first-degree family history of Alzheimer's disease from the PREVENT-AD cohort and 30 younger adults who are paired with older adults in the intervention condition.
Older participants in the intervention group will be paired with younger study partners and receive positive, daily messages over four weeks using a novel technology platform. The daily messages combine intergenerational social engagement (growing a virtual garden with a younger study partner) and prosocial goals (donations to charity after reaching step count goals).
The primary outcome is change in step count compared to baseline measured using a wrist-worn triaxial accelerometer. Secondary outcomes include time spent physically active, mood, generativity, loneliness, and cognition. Target mechanisms (social support and generativity) of physical activity engagement will be examined. Ease of use, acceptability, and feasibility of the technology as well as barriers and facilitators of participation will be assessed.
This research will advance our understanding of mechanisms and individual differences underlying successful physical activity engagement in older adults who are at risk for Alzheimer's disease. This knowledge will contribute to strategies for promoting health behaviours that can prevent the risk of Alzheimer's disease.
在北美，缺乏身体活动是阿尔茨海默病最重要的可改变风险因素之一。尽管如此，大多数老年人仍缺乏身体活动。目前尚不清楚如何成功激发有患阿尔茨海默病风险的老年人的身体活动行为，而这一知识对于早期有效预防疾病至关重要。先前的研究表明，代际社会参与和亲社会行为可以增进老年人的健康和福祉。
本手稿描述了一项随机对照试验的设计，该试验将测试一种行为干预措施对增加有患阿尔茨海默病风险的老年人身体活动的效果。
设计/地点：这是一项单盲、双臂分层随机对照试验，采用了混合效果与实施设计。参与者按1:1的比例随机分配到干预组或对照组，并根据多模式阿尔茨海默病风险评分进行分层。所有研究访视均通过视频会议远程进行。
该研究旨在从预防阿尔茨海默病队列中招募60名有阿尔茨海默病一级家族史的老年人，以及30名在干预组中与老年人配对的年轻人。
干预组中的老年参与者将与年轻的研究伙伴配对，并在四周内使用一个新型技术平台接收积极的每日信息。每日信息结合了代际社会参与（与年轻研究伙伴一起种植虚拟花园）和亲社会目标（达到步数目标后向慈善机构捐款）。
主要结局是与使用腕戴式三轴加速度计测量的基线相比步数的变化。次要结局包括身体活动时间、情绪、繁衍感、孤独感和认知。将研究身体活动参与的目标机制（社会支持和繁衍感）。将评估该技术的易用性、可接受性和可行性以及参与的障碍和促进因素。
这项研究将增进我们对有患阿尔茨海默病风险的老年人成功参与身体活动背后的机制和个体差异的理解。这一知识将有助于制定促进健康行为的策略，以预防阿尔茨海默病的风险。
