Older adults at risk of dementia showed improvements in memory, thinking skills, and overall cognitive performance after participating in two culturally adapted lifestyle programs across 11 Latin American countries. The study, known as the Latin American Initiative for Lifestyle Intervention to Prevent Cognitive Decline (LatAm-FINGERS), followed 1,065 participants for two years.

The more structured Systematic Lifestyle Intervention (SLI) group achieved a 55% greater improvement in a composite measure of global cognition compared to the Flexible Lifestyle Intervention (FLI) group, which received only periodic health education and broad recommendations. Participants in the SLI group also showed significantly larger improvements in memory, executive function, and processing speed.

Study Implementation and Adaptation

The SLI group received continuous coaching through supervised exercise, nutrition counseling based on a modified MIND diet, computerized cognitive training, cardiovascular risk monitoring, and 38 group meetings. The FLI group attended four group meetings and did not receive ongoing coaching or supervision.

To adapt the program from the U.S. POINTER model, researchers adjusted elements to fit local cultures, climates, and food availability. Specific adaptations included:

• Exercise options such as salsa, tango, and outdoor group workouts in public parks.
• A modified MIND diet incorporating regional foods like avocado, quinoa, açai, aguaymanto, chia, and pumpkin seeds.
• Translated materials and assistance for individuals with limited digital technology experience.

The analysis included participants from 12 study sites in Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Mexico, Peru, and Uruguay.

"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," said Lucia Crivelli, Ph.D., lead author of the study.