Lifestyle Changes May Improve Cognition 55 Percent More Than Basic Health Guidance: Study - Video

A two-year lifestyle programme combining exercise, healthy eating, brain training and social support may help protect thinking and memory in older adults at risk of dementia, according to a new study.

Published in The Lancet and presented at AAIC 2026, the LatAm-FINGERS study followed 1,065 adults across 11 Latin American countries for two years. Researchers compared a structured programme with regular coaching and supervision with a group that received health advice.

The structured group took part in supervised exercise, nutrition counselling based on a modified MIND diet, computer-based brain training, cardiovascular risk monitoring and group meetings. The comparison group received health education and attended four group sessions.

After two years, participants receiving the structured programme had a 55% greater improvement in overall cognitive performance than those receiving general advice. They also showed greater improvements in memory, executive function and processing speed.

Researchers said the findings show that lifestyle programmes can be adapted to different cultures and communities. Exercise activities included familiar options such as salsa, tango and group workouts in public parks. Dietary advice was also modified to include locally available foods such as avocado, quinoa, chia and pumpkin seeds.

The study supports the idea that several lifestyle factors may need to be addressed together because dementia risk is influenced by physical health, diet, mental activity and social connection.

However, the findings do not prove that the programme can prevent dementia. The study tested changes in cognitive performance and did not establish whether participants were less likely to develop dementia over time.

Overall, the researchers say structured guidance and social support may be important for improving brain health in older adults. Larger and longer studies are needed to determine whether these programmes can reduce dementia risk in other populations worldwide.

REFERENCE: Lucia Crivelli, et al.; Multidomain lifestyle intervention for the prevention of cognitive decline in at-risk older adults in Latin America (LatAm-FINGERS): a single-blind, multicentre, randomised controlled trial. The Lancet, 2026; 408 (10553): 417 DOI: 10.1016/S0140-6736(26)01278-X