Does taking up a new activity benefit our thinking skills?

The Intervention Factory: Advancing community-based activities as interventions for cognitive ageing

Status

Active, not recruiting

Phases

Unknown

Study type

Interventional

Source

ISRCTN

Registry ID

ISRCTN96478815

Enrollment

300

Registered

2018-02-22

Start date

2017-06-01

Completion date

Unknown

Last updated

2022-08-29

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Cognitive ageing Mental and Behavioural Disorders Cognitive ageing

Interventions

Participants meet with a researcher at Heriot-Watt University on two occasions. During their first visit, participants complete some assessments of memory, attention and other cognitive functions. Par

the classes are not constituted for the purposes of the study. Participants are assigned to one of the six activity groups after their baseline assessments, which must constitute a new activity for th

Eligibility

Sex/Gender

All

Inclusion criteria

Inclusion criteria: 1. Aged 65 or over 2. Resident in Edinburgh or the Lothians

Exclusion criteria

Exclusion criteria: 1. Younger than 65 years old 2. Not resident in Edinburgh or the Lothians 3. Diagnosed with a memory/cognitive impairment or dementia

Design outcomes

Primary

Measure	Time frame
Cognitive ability is measured using the Mini-Mental State Examination, the Clock Drawing Task, psychometric tests (from the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Test (WAIS)-IV, Wechsler Memory Scale (WMS)-IV at baseline and three months. The main analyses will be mixed model analysis of variance. Briefly, the cognitive domain scores will be computed as described in the WAIS-IV and WMS-IV manuals. To investigate the effect of the interventions on cognitive performance, 6 x 2 mixed model ANOVA will be conducted with the between factor Group (five intervention groups and the placebo control) and within factor Time (pre-test, post-test) for each of the cognitive ability domains separately.	—

Measure

Time frame

Cognitive ability is measured using the Mini-Mental State Examination, the Clock Drawing Task, psychometric tests (from the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Test (WAIS)-IV, Wechsler Memory Scale (WMS)-IV at baseline and three months. The main analyses will be mixed model analysis of variance. Briefly, the cognitive domain scores will be computed as described in the WAIS-IV and WMS-IV manuals. To investigate the effect of the interventions on cognitive performance, 6 x 2 mixed model ANOVA will be conducted with the between factor Group (five intervention groups and the placebo control) and within factor Time (pre-test, post-test) for each of the cognitive ability domains separately.

—

Secondary

Measure	Time frame
1. Mental wellbeing is measured using the Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Wellbeing Scale at baseline and three months. 2. Quality of life is measured using the WHO Quality of Life Scale at baseline and three months. 3. Anxiety and depression are measured using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale at baseline and three months. 4. Physical function is measured at baseline and three months, comprising: blood pressure is measured using a digital sphygmomanometer; lung function is measured using a spirometer; grip strength is measured using a handheld dynamometer; balance, chair stands and walk speed are measure using the Short Portable Physical Performance Battery.	—

Measure

Time frame

1. Mental wellbeing is measured using the Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Wellbeing Scale at baseline and three months. 2. Quality of life is measured using the WHO Quality of Life Scale at baseline and three months. 3. Anxiety and depression are measured using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale at baseline and three months. 4. Physical function is measured at baseline and three months, comprising: blood pressure is measured using a digital sphygmomanometer; lung function is measured using a spirometer; grip strength is measured using a handheld dynamometer; balance, chair stands and walk speed are measure using the Short Portable Physical Performance Battery.

—

Countries

Scotland, United Kingdom

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ISRCTN (via WHO ICTRP) · Data processed: Feb 4, 2026