The MIND diet, cognitive function, and well-being among healthy adults at midlife: a randomised feasibility trial.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to test the effectiveness of the MIND diet (a hybrid of the Mediterranean and DASH diets) on cognitive function, mood, and quality of life, and to design an intervention using the COM-B model to promote adherence to the MIND diet.
Results Summary
Both MIND diet intervention groups (with and without support) showed significant improvements in mood, quality of life, MIND diet adherence, and COM-B components compared to the control group, but no significant differences in cognitive function were observed.
Population
Adults aged 40-55 years (male and female).
Effective Dosage
Not specified.
Duration
12 weeks.
Interactions
None mentioned.
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
MIND diet with support group | increase | mood | participants (aged 40-55 years, male and female) | - | significantly improved | #1 |
MIND diet with support group | increase | quality of life | participants (aged 40-55 years, male and female) | - | significantly improved | #2 |
MIND diet with support group | increase | MIND diet score | participants (aged 40-55 years, male and female) | - | significantly improved | #3 |
MIND diet with support group | increase | all COM-B components | participants (aged 40-55 years, male and female) | - | significantly improved | #4 |
MIND diet group with no support | increase | mood | participants (aged 40-55 years, male and female) | - | significantly improved | #5 |
MIND diet group with no support | increase | quality of life | participants (aged 40-55 years, male and female) | - | significantly improved | #6 |
MIND diet group with no support | increase | MIND diet score | participants (aged 40-55 years, male and female) | - | significantly improved | #7 |
MIND diet group with no support | increase | all COM-B components | participants (aged 40-55 years, male and female) | - | significantly improved | #8 |
MIND diet with support group | no change | cognitive function | participants (aged 40-55 years, male and female) | - | No significant differences or interactions | #9 |
MIND diet group with no support | no change | cognitive function | participants (aged 40-55 years, male and female) | - | No significant differences or interactions | #10 |
BACKGROUND: The Mediterranean and Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diets have been shown to slow cognitive decline. However, these diets were not originally developed with dementia prevention as their primary focus. In contrast, the Mediterranean-DASH Intervention for Neurodegenerative Delay (MIND) diet was specifically designed based on evidence linking individual dietary components to brain health and the prevention of cognitive decline. The aim of this research was to test the effectiveness of the MIND diet on cognitive function, mood, and quality of life using the Behaviour Change Wheel, and to design an intervention using the COM-B model to promote the MIND diet at midlife. METHODS: An online pilot randomised control trial (RCT) was conducted. Forty-one participants (aged 40-55 years, male and female) were randomised into a MIND diet with support group (n = 15), MIND diet group with no support (n = 14) or control group (n = 12) for 12 weeks. Baseline and follow-up measures of cognitive function, mood, quality of life (QOL) and adherence to MIND diet was assessed in each group. Capability, opportunity, and motivation (COM-B) towards MIND diet behaviour were also assessed pre and post intervention. RESULTS: A repeated measures ANOVA showed that in comparison to the control group, both intervention groups significantly improved mood, quality of life, MIND diet score and all COM-B components at follow-up (p < 0.05). No significant differences or interactions in cognitive function were found between groups. CONCLUSION: There are only two RCT's that test the effectiveness of the MIND diet on cognitive function, and this is the first RCT to assess the usefulness of the COM-B in increasing adherence to the MIND diet. Future interventions with longer duration are needed to establish an association with MIND diet and cognitive function in adults at midlife. This study recommends using less Behaviour Change Techniques (BCTs) with a focus on self-monitoring, goal setting and education on diet as an effective strategy for promoting adherence to the MIND diet. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Trial registered at ClinicalTrials.gov Protocol Record NCT04654936, May 2019.