Can something as simple as a minor lifestyle reset help you live healthier – and longer? Researchers at an Argentinian neurological institute wanted to see how much lifestyle coaching influenced the overall health and wellness of older folks…
And they were surprised at the extent to which simple changes in daily routines and activities im-proved the phyisical and emotional health of their test subjects…
What they did
Presenting their findings at the annual Alzheimer’s Association International Conference, the team recounted their rationale for the experiment.
The Alzheimer’s Association-funded study, known as the Latin American Initiative for Lifestyle Intervention to Prevent Cognitive Decline (LatAm-FINGERS), followed participants for two years. During that time, the team offered participants structured programs based on those of a US study that tested the effects of enhanced physical activity, healthy eating, cognitive training and social engagement on older folks, their health care systems and their wider communities.
What they found
“Older adults at risk of dementia improved their memory, thinking skills, and overall cognitive performance after taking part in two culturally adapted lifestyle programs across 11 Latin American countries,” An abstract of the study report reveals. “The strongest benefits were seen among part-icipants who received more structured guidance, including regular coaching and support.”
Those findings were in line with the original US study’s results. But the Argentinian experiment did not just apply the principles and procedures of the US study without some adjustments. The Buenos Aires team adapted the pro0gram to suit Latin American cultural norms.
“We did not simply translate the U.S. POINTER model into Spanish and Portuguese. We adapted it to local cultures and habits while preserving its core elements – making the program practical, afford-able and feasible as a public health strategy,” said Lucia Crivelli, Ph.D., lead author of the Study. ‘The results demonstrate for the first time in Latin America that culturally adapted lifestyle interventions can be successfully implemented across diverse countries and communities, and deliver cognitive benefits for populations that are often underrepresented in clinical research.”
The takeaway
Dr. Laura D. Baker, professor of gerontology and geriatrics, internal medicine, at Wake Forest Uni-versity School of Medicine and Advocate Health, and the U.S. POINTER study’s principal investigator. “We now have a second strong finding in a completely different part of the world, which suggests that the U.S. POINTER formula can be adapted for anybody.”
My take
Now, all the Alzheimer Society has to do is convince other lo0cales to implement adapted POINTER programs. The principles are sound. And the potential savings to society are almost incalculable…
~ Maggie J.