DEM-SHIELD v1
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Secondary Dementia Prevention: Developing integrated Brain Health Clinics, a pre-implementation study. (DEM-SHIELD)
IRAS ID
357235
Contact name
Danielle Jones
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Bradford
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 10 months, 0 days
Research summary
Dementia affects 1 in 14 people over 65 in the UK. Consequently, prevention has become critical alongside research for cures and care. While many programmes have improved health services, few specifically targeted dementia prevention. Recent policies now emphasise the urgent need to reduce dementia risks throughout life.
Prevention happens at different levels: primary (maintaining good health), secondary (targeting at-risk individuals), and tertiary (minimising existing disability). Brain Health Clinics are emerging as one solution for dementia prevention, based within secondary prevention. These clinics aim to:
• Raise awareness about brain health
• Provide personalised advice about lifestyle changes
• Ensure equal access across different socioeconomic and ethnic groups
However, important questions remain about how these clinics should operate. Who should they target? Should healthcare providers refer patients with conditions like diabetes or high blood pressure? Would self-referrals be effective? How can they best reach those most at-risk?
As these clinics develop, we need to understand the most effective ways to deliver prevention services that produce behaviour change and reduce dementia risk. To do this we are discussing secondary dementia prevention with health care professionals who are delivering secondary prevention of dementia to better understand current practice and improvements, and discussing brain health and experiences of advice about risk for developing dementia with people living with Subjective Cognitive Decline (SCD), Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) or those who have visited a memory assessment service for concerns about their memory, but who have not been diagnosed with dementia.
Interviews for both groups will be conducted online via video conferencing software (Zoom and Microsoft Teams). Participants from anywhere in the UK will be able to participate. The study will last approximately 12 months; however, participants will only be expected to contribute to one interview.REC name
London - City & East Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
25/PR/1092
Date of REC Opinion
11 Sep 2025
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion