ENHANCE Programme
Research type
Research Study
Full title
TailorEd iNtervention for brain HeAlth aNd Cognitive Enrichment (ENHANCE) for underserved people at higher risk of dementia in the UK
IRAS ID
334260
Contact name
Sergi Costafreda-Gonzalez
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
North London Foundation Trust
ISRCTN Number
ISRCTN17060879
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
Data Protection Office Registration, Registration in Progress
Duration of Study in the UK
4 years, 6 months, 1 days
Research summary
Dementia affects 7% of the UK population aged 65+, with increasing numbers of people affected as we live longer. It is potentially possible to prevent up to 40% of people developing dementia by addressing 10 risk factors: less education, hearing loss, high blood pressure, excessive alcohol, obesity, smoking, depression, social isolation, physical inactivity, and diabetes. A recent Korean study, “SUPERBRAIN”, used a smartphone app to address these risks along with coach support. The study found participants without dementia played extra brain games, undertook physical exercises, and felt cared for and motivated to change. Smart phone apps offer a potential low-cost solution to help people change their health behaviours and improve their brain health. Our team has co-produced an app called ENHANCE, designed to help people address 10 risk factors for dementia through playing games, watching videos and receiving coach support. We have designed the app to be acceptable to everybody, including disadvantaged and minority ethnic groups who have highest risks, and could potentially benefit most from changes to prevent dementia. In this study we want to find out if the app is acceptable to patients, if they use it, if it is practical to deliver the app with coach support and to know if this can be done through GP practices. We will conduct interviews and focus groups with some study participants to ask them about their experiences of using the app and taking part in the study. We will improve the app based on any feedback we receive. If the results are positive we will test the effectiveness of the app and coach support in a larger study to see if improves cognition. Patients and members of the public have been involved in designing the app, in developing the materials and will help us to share the results.
REC name
West of Scotland REC 5
REC reference
24/WS/0077
Date of REC Opinion
6 Aug 2024
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion