Brain health program at senior centers for older adults with memory worries
Prevention Starts Here: Piloting My Healthy Brain in Massachusetts Councils on Aging
This 8-week mindfulness-based program tests whether older adults with memory concerns can improve activity, sleep, diet, and other lifestyle habits linked to brain health.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 60 (estimated) |
| Ages | 50 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Massachusetts General Hospital Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Boston, Massachusetts) |
| Trial ID | NCT07424443 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This pilot enrolls adults aged 50 and older with subjective cognitive decline and interest in changing lifestyle habits. Participants attend eight weekly 90-minute sessions led by a clinical psychologist or trainee at participating senior centers and wear an activity watch to support and monitor lifestyle changes. Each session focuses on a specific brain-health topic such as physical activity, sleep, or diet and uses mindfulness-based strategies to promote behavior change. The primary aims are to measure credibility, expectancy, feasibility, acceptability, appropriateness, fidelity, and participant satisfaction with delivering the program in senior centers.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Adults aged 50 or older with self-reported memory concerns, English literacy, no significant cognitive impairment, willingness to change at least one modifiable lifestyle factor, and ability to attend eight weekly sessions are ideal candidates.
Not a fit: People with diagnosed dementia, uncontrolled serious psychiatric or medical illness, active suicidal ideation, or who cannot attend in-person sessions or engage with lifestyle changes are unlikely to benefit.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, participants may improve modifiable lifestyle behaviors linked to lower dementia risk and better cognitive health.
How similar studies have performed: Previous small community and mindfulness-based lifestyle programs have demonstrated feasible delivery and modest improvements in activity, sleep, and mood, but clear cognitive benefits remain unproven.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Aged ≥ 50 * Subjective cognitive decline (SCD; e.g., forgetting information, getting lost, and repeating oneself) * Able to self-identify at least 1 modifiable lifestyle risk factors for dementia to change during the program (physically inactive, poor sleep, non-adherence to Mediterranean diet, alcohol use, tobacco use, socially isolated or lonely, mental inactivity) * Absence of significant cognitive impairment (assessed using Short Blessed Test71 ≤ 9) * Self-reported English proficiency/literacy * Ability and willingness to participate and complete all study-related activities Exclusion Criteria: * Dementia or other neurodegenerative disease per patient self-report or disclosure * Psychosis, uncontrolled schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder, uncontrolled bipolar disorder, or uncontrolled substance dependence/abuse * Active self-report of suicidal ideation / high risk of suicide * Serious medical illness expected to worsen during the study * Self-reported safety issues with initiating lifestyle change
Where this trial is running
Boston, Massachusetts
- Massachusetts General Hospital — Boston, Massachusetts, United States (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: My Healthy Brain Clinical Research Coordinator
- Email: mghmyhealthybrain@mgb.org
- Phone: 617-643-9406
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.