The overall goal of this proposal is to conduct a fully powered randomized controlled
trial of a multi-component intervention designed to provide education about brain aging,
improve feelings of control over brain aging, and deliver practical assistance with
creation of an executable action plan (AgeWISE-Action Plan). The AgeWISE-Action Plan
(AgeWISE-AP) is intended to extend our prior AgeWISE program by adding an individualized
action plan component to increase older Veteran engagement in brain healthy lifestyle
activities.
AIM 1 (primary): To determine whether AgeWISE-AP increases older Veterans' engagement in
lifestyle factors that promote brain health. AgeWISE provides information about the
differences between normal and diseased brain aging and lifestyle factors that contribute
to brain health. The action plan (AP) component will use this foundation to
collaboratively create an individualized brain health plan to increase Veteran engagement
in brain healthy lifestyle activities. H1. AgeWISE-AP participants will demonstrate
increased engagement in brain-healthy lifestyle activities compared to the control group.
AIM 2 (primary): To determine whether AgeWISE-AP improves psychological wellness. AgeWISE
provides information about the relationship between cognitive aging and affective states
(e.g., depression) and attitudes about aging, and teaches stress reduction techniques.
The action plan (AP) will provide additional individualized supports to improve
psychological well-being with personalized goals and lifestyle modifications (e.g., diet,
exercise, sleep, cognitive stimulation). H2. AgeWISE-AP participants will show increases
in perception of control over cognitive aging, meaning and purpose in life, quality of
life, and self-efficacy, as well as improved attitudes toward aging and decreased
loneliness, depression, and anxiety compared to the control group.
AIM 3 (primary): To determine whether AgeWISE-AP improves cognition. Cognitive strategies
to improve cognition and functioning are presented and practiced over three AgeWISE
sessions, with homework to improve generalization to day-to-day life. Engagement in
brain-healthy lifestyle activities will be accomplished through the action plan (AP). H3.
Self-reported memory contentment, ability, and compensatory strategy use will increase
and objective cognitive testing will be better for AgeWISE-AP participants compared to
the control group.
Aim 4 (exploratory): To determine whether AgeWISE-AP influences biomarkers of brain
health using structural neuroimaging methods. H4. At one-year follow-up AgeWISE-AP
participants will have less volumetric decline in dementia-related brain regions compared
to the control group.