MCI-Active v1.0
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Developing a holistic support programme for people with Mild Cognitive Impairment to reduce dementia risk and improve brain health ("MCI-Active")
IRAS ID
367124
Contact name
Elizabeth Coulthard
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
North Bristol NHS Trust
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 10 months, 1 days
Research summary
New approaches to the prevention of dementia are urgently needed. There is a growing number of people living with mild cognitive disorders (such as Mild Cognitive Impairment), who have an elevated risk of developing dementia. Despite evidence that dementia risk can be reduced by modifying lifestyle factors and improving brain health, at present there are no approved support programmes within the NHS. In this project we will adapt and pilot a new brain health group programme to address this important gap.
The Healthy Brain Ageing (HBA) programme (developed at The University of Sydney) helps people improve their thinking skills and wellbeing, with the aim of delaying progression to dementia. HBA sessions include a mix of health education, group discussions and training memory and thinking skills. People attending this programme demonstrated significant improvements in their thinking skills, mood and sleep quality. We will adapt the materials to use within the NHS and develop a UK version of the programme: "Healthy Brain Ageing UK" (HBA-UK).
In the current study we will pilot the HBA-UK programme by delivering it to 3 groups of 8 patients within our clinic (24 in total). We will evaluate their feedback from groups 1 and 2, make improvements to the programme and pilot these in group 3. Our Patient & Public Involvement group will help guide the improvements we make. A range of cognitive tests and questionnaires will be completed before and after the group programme, and 3 months later. These will capture changes in thinking skills, wellbeing, lifestyle, dementia risk, and feedback on the programme. We will use these to assess whether the program is feasible and well-received. The results will support an application for more funding to carry out a full trial of the HBA-UK programme.
REC name
Wales REC 1
REC reference
26/WA/0065
Date of REC Opinion
9 Mar 2026
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion