Active Brains

A new website called ‘Active Brains’ aims to help older adults to look after their brain and body health to prevent cognitive decline.

The website supports older adults to make simple behavioural changes such as increasing physical activity, playing brain training games and finding ways to eat more healthily. This study will trial the effectiveness and cost effectiveness of ‘Active Brains’.

The trial will recruit two groups of older adults:

1. those with signs of cognitive decline,
2. those without any cognitive decline.

Members of both of these groups will be randomly assigned to one of three trial groups:

1. care as they usually receive it from their GP practice, or
2. access to the Active Brains website, or
3. access to the Active Brains website plus brief support from a trained person (over the phone or by email).

The trial will last for five years. At the end of the first year the study team will compare participants’ cognitive performance in each of the three study groups. After five years the study team will compare the three study groups again and will collect medical records data about diagnosis of dementia. The findings will reveal whether the Active Brains website is effective and cost-effective for older adults to avoid or delay cognitive decline.