FAQs

Our aim is to test the effectiveness of CogCoach-Health in older adults who experience subjective cognitive decline (SCD) or mild cognitive impairment (MCI) but do not yet have significant cognitive impairment. Our goal is for CogCoach-Health to become a useful and time saving evidence-based dementia risk reduction resource for general practitioners.

Interested volunteers will complete an eligibility screening to confirm this study is a good match. If they are eligible to participate, they will be randomised into one of two groups: CogCoach-Health Intervention or Email information. To ensure the research is fair and unbiased, the groups are chosen randomly – like pulling names from a hat.

CogCoach-Health Intervention: Participants will have access to a 12-week online course, consisting of six chapters about cognitive health and dementia risk factors, healthy diet, physical activity, social and cognitive engagement, and stress management. During these 12 weeks, participants will be offered two consultation sessions with a dietician and two with an exercise physiologist, one session with a psychologist and continued phone support, and access to a brain-training app. After the initial 12 weeks, participants will be offered up to two ‘booster’ sessions with the dietician and two with the exercise physiologist who will check in with them about their diet and exercise. 

Email information: Participants will receive six fortnightly email bulletins about cognitive health and risk factors for dementia over a 12-week period. At the end of the study, access to the full CogCoach-Health online course will be provided, however consultations with a dietician, an exercise physiologist, or psychologist will not be offered, and continued phone support, and access to the brain-training app will not be available.

All participants will take part in telephone or internet interviews, which involve answering questions about their lifestyle and cognitive function. Administration of these questionnaires and cognitive tasks will take place four times -before the start of the trail, straight after the initial 12-week period and again six‑months and one year later.

We cannot guarantee or promise that you will receive any benefits from this research; however, possible benefits may include improved cognition, well-being and other positive lifestyle factor outcomes. You will also be contributing to research that aims to prevent cognitive decline and promote healthier brain ageing in the long-term.

You can participate in the study if you:

• Have noticed changes in memory or thinking or have been diagnosed with ‘mild cognitive impairment’ (MCI)
• Are 65 years of age or older
• No major psychiatric or neurological disorders
• Can read, write and communicate in English to a comfortable level
• Are willing to complete an online course, lifestyle factor questionnaires and interviews over phone/video
• Are willing to nominate a friend, family or carer who is willing to provide information about my memory and thinking and my everyday behaviour at the beginning and the end of the study.

The study is conducted online, and you can join from anywhere in Australia, provided you have a computer, tablet or smartphone and the ability to connect to the internet.

Express your interest in participating in CogCoach-Health

You can express your interest to join the study by completing the EOI form. A member of our research team will contact you within one week to see whether the study is right for you.

The research team will contact you via phone to complete questions for an eligibility screen. This screen will check whether this study is a good match for you. If you are eligible to participate, you will be randomly allocated to one of two groups: CogCoach-Health Intervention or Email information. To ensure the research is fair and unbiased, the groups are chosen randomly – like pulling names from a hat.

If you do consent to participate, you may withdraw at any time. Your decision to withdraw from the study will not affect your relationship with UNSW Sydney or the other collaborators of the study.