Yamako Go, PhD | University of Miyazaki; Chosa Etsuo, MD, PhD
Competition Sponsor: Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development
Awardee Year: 2025
The J-MINT PRIME Tamba study (Japan-Multimodal Intervention Trial for the Prevention of Dementia PRIME Tamba) demonstrated the effectiveness of an 18-month multidomain lifestyle interventions which include exercise, cognitive training, healthy balanced diet, and lifestyle disease management for older adults with atherosclerosis risk factors.
Based on this evidence, the current proposal aims to implement dementia prevention strategies that are more socially sustainable and scalable. Previous interventions were executed in ideal conditions and frequently required substantial resources. It is not practical to expand such approaches to broader populations using the same model. Our proposed strategies leverage existing community infrastructure and health checkup systems to address this problem.
This proposal introduces two intervention methods. Firstly, we collaborate with “Iki-Iki Hyakusai Taiso” groups, community-based exercise programs for older adults. These groups conduct 30-minute stretching and strength training sessions using a DVD. We have developed “Nou-Pika Exercise,” which adds aerobic and dual-task components to the original program. Trained older adults from the same region monitor the intervention to promote community ownership and sustainability. Secondly, our focus is on the health checkup program for individuals aged 40 to 74. Those with risk factors such as hypertension or impaired glucose tolerance are encouraged to join a 90-minute weekly exercise class. The J-MINT PRIME Tamba model is the basis for this intervention’s structure except that it adopts a hybrid format combining in-person and remote sessions. Effectiveness will be evaluated using web-based cognitive tests that older adults can self-administer and by analyzing medical and long-term care insurance claims data.