Reducing fear and avoidance of memory loss improves mood and social engagement in community-based older adults: a randomized trial.

Background: Alzheimer's disease and related dementias (ADRD) are among the most feared age-related conditions. The aim of this study was to evaluate a brief psychological intervention to promote adaptive coping in older adults experiencing heightened fear of ADRD and investigate positive downstream effects on health-related secondary outcomes, including frequency of reported memory failures, psychosocial functioning, and quality of life.

Methods: Eighty-one older adults were recruited and randomized into REFRAME or active control intervention arms.

Validation of the Fear and Avoidance of Memory Loss scale in community-based older adults.

Introduction: Alzheimer's disease and related dementias (ADRD) are among the most feared conditions. However, research around ADRD-specific fear and avoidance behaviors is lacking. Here, we validated a novel measure of fear and avoidance specific to memory loss, the Fear and Avoidance of Memory Loss (FAM) scale, and examined associations between fear avoidance and psychosocial functioning in older adults.

A Randomized Controlled Trial Investigating the Feasibility of a Low-Intensity Psychological Intervention for Fear of Memory Loss and Quality of Life in Older Adults: Protocol for the Reducing Fear and Avoidance of Memory Loss (REFRAME) Study.

Background: Dementia is the most feared disease associated with aging. Prolonged fears about memory loss and dementia can have harmful consequences even in the absence of cognitive decline. Fear of dementia is associated with poorer health outcomes and psychological well-being and increased memory failures in older adults.

Integration of balance and strength training into daily life activity to reduce rate of falls in older people (the LiFE study): randomised parallel trial.

Objectives: To determine whether a lifestyle integrated approach to balance and strength training is effective in reducing the rate of falls in older, high risk people living at home.

Design: Three arm, randomised parallel trial; assessments at baseline and after six and 12 months. Randomisation done by computer generated random blocks, stratified by sex and fall history and concealed by an independent secure website.