Goal-setting program to boost midlife physical activity and lower dementia risk
Goal Setting to Promote Physical Activity Adherence in Midlife to Reduce Risk of Alzheimer's Disease and Related-Dementias: A Randomized Mechanistic Proof-of-Concept Trial
This project compares three goal-setting approaches to help midlife adults with obesity become more active and meet national exercise recommendations to reduce dementia risk.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Arizona State University-Tempe Campus NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Scottsdale, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11180379 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
You would take part in a two-phase program that first pilots the approach and then runs a nine-month, four-arm trial with six months of active coaching and three months of no-contact follow-up. The study targets insufficiently active midlife adults with obesity and uses wearable accelerometers to track real-world activity. The intervention focuses on goal-setting techniques designed to boost self-regulation and confidence for maintaining regular exercise. Study visits and remote contacts will be used to teach techniques, monitor progress, and collect outcomes.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are midlife adults with obesity who currently do not meet the guideline of 150 minutes per week of moderate-intensity physical activity.
Not a fit: People who already meet physical activity guidelines, have advanced dementia, or have medical conditions that prevent safe exercise may not benefit from this intervention.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the program could help people form lasting exercise habits that lower their risk of Alzheimer's disease and related dementias.
How similar studies have performed: Previous research shows goal-setting can increase physical activity and that regular activity is linked to lower dementia risk, but the best goal-setting method for midlife adults with obesity has not been established.
Where this research is happening
Scottsdale, United States
- Arizona State University-Tempe Campus — Scottsdale, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Maxfield, Molly — Arizona State University-Tempe Campus
- Study coordinator: Maxfield, Molly
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.