Evaluation of the Effect of Healthy Lifestyle Intervention for Patients With Mild Cognitive Impairment

Research Background

• MCI Status and Impact Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) is an intermediate state between normal aging and dementia, characterized by cognitive decline. Globally, the prevalence of MCI among individuals aged 65 and older is approximately 15%-20%, while in China, the prevalence among those aged 60 and older is 15.5%, affecting approximately 38.77 million people.

MCI patients experience cognitive decline, reduced quality of life, and increased economic burden on families (approximately 20%-30% higher than healthy elderly individuals). The prevalence of depressive symptoms in MCI patients is significantly higher than in healthy elderly individuals.

MCI patients have a high risk of progressing to dementia, with an annual conversion rate of 10%-15%, and up to 50% progressing within five years. However, early intervention can reverse or delay the progression to dementia.

• Importance of Healthy Lifestyle Interventions. A healthy lifestyle, including observable behaviors (e.g., diet, exercise) and indirect behaviors (e.g., psychological state, cognitive ability), plays a significant role in preventing and intervening in MCI.

Exercise Intervention: Regular exercise (e.g., brisk walking, resistance training, Tai Chi) improves cognitive function. It is recommended that older adults with cognitive decline engage in 150-300 minutes of moderate-intensity activity per week.

Social Intervention: Active social participation (e.g., interest groups, health education) reduces the risk of cognitive decline. It is recommended that MCI patients participate in social activities at least twice a week.

Dietary Intervention: The MIND diet (a combination of the Mediterranean and DASH diets) emphasizes antioxidant and anti-inflammatory foods, reducing MCI risk and slowing age-related cognitive decline.

Cognitive Intervention: Cognitive training (e.g., digital cognitive therapy) is effective in improving intervention outcomes. It is recommended that MCI patients undergo at least 3 sessions per week, each lasting 30 minutes, with a total training time of no less than 20 hours.

• Research Status and Significance Current research on healthy lifestyle interventions for MCI patients is limited, with most studies focusing on single interventions rather than comprehensive approaches.

This study combines exercise, social activities, diet, and cognitive training to systematically evaluate the comprehensive effects of multidimensional healthy lifestyle interventions. The findings will provide evidence for developing personalized and precise intervention strategies, helping to reduce the risk of dementia conversion, alleviate family and societal burdens, and promote healthy aging.

Statistical Methods The SPSS 23.0 statistical software was used to build the database and conduct statistical analyses. Descriptive statistics were applied to describe the basic characteristics of the study subjects and the outcome indicators of the feasibility analysis. For measurement data, the Shapiro-Wilk test was used to test for normality. Normally distributed data were described using means and standard deviations, while non-normally distributed data were described using medians and interquartile ranges. Categorical data were described using frequencies and percentages.

For the outcome indicators of the effectiveness validation of the study subjects, between-group differences were analyzed. Normally distributed data were analyzed using the independent samples t-test, while non-normally distributed data were analyzed using the Mann-Whitney U test. A two-tailed p-value ≤0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Innovations

• Perspective Innovation Starting from an overall healthy lifestyle and focusing on MCI patients, this study integrates multi-factorial interventions (exercise, diet, social interaction, and cognitive training), breaking the limitations of traditional single-factor research. Meanwhile, the intervention effects are evaluated from multiple dimensions to comprehensively measure the impact of lifestyle interventions on MCI patients.
• Methodological Innovation Combining multi-modal interventions (cognitive training, exercise, MIND diet, group social activities) with digital technology (cognitive digital therapy, fitness trackers for heart rate monitoring), this study enables real-time multi-dimensional monitoring and data collection, enhancing intervention compliance and engagement.
• Application Innovation Focusing on modifiable factors in the lives of MCI patients, this study designs practical interventions that can be implemented in both family and community settings. Based on the research findings, an integrated promotion model of "hospital-community-family" can be established to effectively improve the accessibility and sustainability of the interventions.
• Research Framework Innovation This study constructs a comprehensive intervention framework that integrates diet, exercise, cognition, and social interaction, providing a reference for future research.

Inclusion criteria

• To meet the diagnostic criteria of MCI, refer to the diagnostic criteria of MCI in "2018 Chinese Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Treatment of Dementia and Cognitive Impairment (5) : Diagnosis and Treatment of Mild Cognitive Impairment".
• Have caregiver > 6 months.
• Participate in the study voluntarily and sign the informed consent.

Exclusion criteria

• Have received other cognitive intervention therapy recently (within 6 months).
• Diagnosis of functional encephalopathy or obvious mental disorders, such as Parkinson's disease, epilepsy, schizophrenia.
• Suffering from serious cardiovascular diseases, malignant tumors and other major physical diseases.
• Have visual, hearing, speech or limb dysfunction, unable to complete the test.
• Patients with chronic diseases who have special dietary needs or require special dietary management.