Bust Out Your Thinking Cap Can a ‘Brain Coach’ Save the Day for Those at Higher Risk of Alzheimer’s?
Could a 'Brain Coach' Be Beneficial for Those at Increased Risk of Alzheimer's?
Can a “Brain Coach” Outsmart Alzheimer’s?
Personal trainers help boost our strength and fitness levels. But what if we had someone to train our brains to prevent Alzheimer’s disease? Well, a new study suggests that having a “brain coach” could delay or even prevent memory loss in older adults at high risk of Alzheimer’s or dementia. Talk about brain gains!
The researchers recruited 172 participants, all between the ages of 70 and 89, who had at least two of the eight risk factors for dementia. These included physical inactivity, high blood pressure, uncontrolled diabetes, poor sleep, certain prescription medications, high depressive symptoms, social isolation, and smoking.
Half of the participants received personalized health and lifestyle coaching while the other half didn’t. And guess what? The ones who had a brain coach experienced a mind-blowing 74% boost in their thinking and memory tests compared to those who didn’t receive any attention. That’s like going from dozing off during a crossword puzzle to solving it in record time!
Now, what exactly did this personalized intervention involve? Well, the participants met with a nurse and a health coach to identify specific risk factors they wanted to address. They set personal goals, like increasing their daily steps or monitoring their blood pressure, and had regular coaching sessions to track their progress. It’s like having a personal trainer for the mind!
But wait, there’s more! Along with the impressive improvement in cognitive scores, the participants also saw a 145% improvement in their risk factors and an 8% boost in their quality of life. Talk about a total brain transformation!
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During the pandemic, the coaching sessions switched from in-person to phone calls, but it didn’t dampen their effectiveness. Surprisingly, the positive results continued even during the challenging times of social distancing and isolation. So, a brain coach can help protect your mind, even from the comfort of your own home!
And the best part? These brain-boosting programs are a lot cheaper than expensive Alzheimer’s drugs and don’t come with strict eligibility criteria or the risk of brain bleeding. It’s like a pocket-friendly, risk-reducing alternative to those fancy medications! Dr. Kristine Yaffe, one of the lead researchers, believes that in the future, managing Alzheimer’s and dementia will be similar to managing cardiovascular disease. We’ll have a combination of risk reduction and targeted drugs to combat the disease.
So, if you’re worried about brain fog and memory lapses, it might be time to consider getting yourself a brain coach. After all, our brains deserve just as much attention and training as our bodies. Let’s keep those neurons firing and Alzheimer’s at bay!
More information The Alzheimer’s Association has more information on risk factors for Alzheimer’s.
Source: University of California, San Francisco, news release, Nov. 27, 2023
#### One of the first symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease is __________________. See Answer
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