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

Patricia O'Loughlin; Pavithra Pavithra; John Regan; Marc Bennett; Rachel Knight; Bert Lenaert; Melissa Marquez; Michelle Taddeo; James Griffith; Rita Shapiro; Francesca Farina

doi:10.2196/30514

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

Patricia O'Loughlin, Pavithra Pavithra, John Regan, Marc Bennett, Rachel Knight, Bert Lenaert, Melissa Marquez, Michelle Taddeo, James Griffith, Rita Shapiro, Francesca Farina^*

^*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Academic › peer-review

Abstract

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.

OBJECTIVE: We will conduct a randomized controlled trial to determine the feasibility of a tailored, web-based mindfulness program to reduce fear of memory loss and increase quality of life in older adults experiencing heightened fear.

METHODS: Eighty participants will be recruited and divided into 2 groups (40 in each group). One group will receive psychoeducation plus mindfulness training. A second group will receive psychoeducation, mindfulness training, and additional modules targeting maladaptive behavioral avoidance (ie, social and cognitive withdrawal).

RESULTS: Our recent etiological model posits that maladaptive behavioral avoidance strategies critically underlie psychosocial dysfunction associated with fear of memory loss. Thus, we predict better outcomes in the second group, including reduced fear of memory loss (primary outcome), Alzheimer disease, anxiety, and subjective memory failures, and increased quality of life (secondary outcomes). Outcome measures will be applied at 5 time points (before, baseline, interim, and after the intervention, and at 3-month follow-up). Data will be analyzed using mixed models and correlations.

CONCLUSIONS: Results from this study will contribute to the current literature on dementia-related fear and improve our understanding of how to effectively address and reduce these fears.

TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04821960; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04821960.

INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER (IRRID): PRR1-10.2196/30514.

Original language	English
Article number	e30514
Number of pages	9
Journal	JMIR Research Protocols
Volume	10
Issue number	7
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.2196/30514
Publication status	Published - 30 Jul 2021

Keywords

fear
memory loss
dementia
older adults
mindfulness
behavioral activation
ANTICIPATORY DEMENTIA
SCALE
PAIN
DEPRESSION
WORRY

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Cite this

O'Loughlin, P., Pavithra, P., Regan, J., Bennett, M., Knight, R., Lenaert, B., Marquez, M., Taddeo, M., Griffith, J., Shapiro, R., & Farina, F. (2021). 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. JMIR Research Protocols, 10(7), Article e30514. https://doi.org/10.2196/30514

@article{f8ad61b44da24624a82f225027a34eaf,

title = "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",

abstract = "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.OBJECTIVE: We will conduct a randomized controlled trial to determine the feasibility of a tailored, web-based mindfulness program to reduce fear of memory loss and increase quality of life in older adults experiencing heightened fear.METHODS: Eighty participants will be recruited and divided into 2 groups (40 in each group). One group will receive psychoeducation plus mindfulness training. A second group will receive psychoeducation, mindfulness training, and additional modules targeting maladaptive behavioral avoidance (ie, social and cognitive withdrawal).RESULTS: Our recent etiological model posits that maladaptive behavioral avoidance strategies critically underlie psychosocial dysfunction associated with fear of memory loss. Thus, we predict better outcomes in the second group, including reduced fear of memory loss (primary outcome), Alzheimer disease, anxiety, and subjective memory failures, and increased quality of life (secondary outcomes). Outcome measures will be applied at 5 time points (before, baseline, interim, and after the intervention, and at 3-month follow-up). Data will be analyzed using mixed models and correlations.CONCLUSIONS: Results from this study will contribute to the current literature on dementia-related fear and improve our understanding of how to effectively address and reduce these fears.TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04821960; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04821960.INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER (IRRID): PRR1-10.2196/30514.",

keywords = "fear, memory loss, dementia, older adults, mindfulness, behavioral activation, ANTICIPATORY DEMENTIA, SCALE, PAIN, DEPRESSION, WORRY",

author = "Patricia O'Loughlin and Pavithra Pavithra and John Regan and Marc Bennett and Rachel Knight and Bert Lenaert and Melissa Marquez and Michelle Taddeo and James Griffith and Rita Shapiro and Francesca Farina",

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O'Loughlin, P, Pavithra, P, Regan, J, Bennett, M, Knight, R, Lenaert, B, Marquez, M, Taddeo, M, Griffith, J, Shapiro, R & Farina, F 2021, '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', JMIR Research Protocols, vol. 10, no. 7, e30514. https://doi.org/10.2196/30514

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. / O'Loughlin, Patricia; Pavithra, Pavithra; Regan, John et al.
In: JMIR Research Protocols, Vol. 10, No. 7, e30514, 30.07.2021.

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Academic › peer-review

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AU - O'Loughlin, Patricia

AU - Pavithra, Pavithra

AU - Regan, John

AU - Bennett, Marc

AU - Knight, Rachel

AU - Lenaert, Bert

AU - Marquez, Melissa

AU - Taddeo, Michelle

AU - Griffith, James

AU - Shapiro, Rita

AU - Farina, Francesca

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N2 - 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.OBJECTIVE: We will conduct a randomized controlled trial to determine the feasibility of a tailored, web-based mindfulness program to reduce fear of memory loss and increase quality of life in older adults experiencing heightened fear.METHODS: Eighty participants will be recruited and divided into 2 groups (40 in each group). One group will receive psychoeducation plus mindfulness training. A second group will receive psychoeducation, mindfulness training, and additional modules targeting maladaptive behavioral avoidance (ie, social and cognitive withdrawal).RESULTS: Our recent etiological model posits that maladaptive behavioral avoidance strategies critically underlie psychosocial dysfunction associated with fear of memory loss. Thus, we predict better outcomes in the second group, including reduced fear of memory loss (primary outcome), Alzheimer disease, anxiety, and subjective memory failures, and increased quality of life (secondary outcomes). Outcome measures will be applied at 5 time points (before, baseline, interim, and after the intervention, and at 3-month follow-up). Data will be analyzed using mixed models and correlations.CONCLUSIONS: Results from this study will contribute to the current literature on dementia-related fear and improve our understanding of how to effectively address and reduce these fears.TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04821960; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04821960.INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER (IRRID): PRR1-10.2196/30514.

AB - 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.OBJECTIVE: We will conduct a randomized controlled trial to determine the feasibility of a tailored, web-based mindfulness program to reduce fear of memory loss and increase quality of life in older adults experiencing heightened fear.METHODS: Eighty participants will be recruited and divided into 2 groups (40 in each group). One group will receive psychoeducation plus mindfulness training. A second group will receive psychoeducation, mindfulness training, and additional modules targeting maladaptive behavioral avoidance (ie, social and cognitive withdrawal).RESULTS: Our recent etiological model posits that maladaptive behavioral avoidance strategies critically underlie psychosocial dysfunction associated with fear of memory loss. Thus, we predict better outcomes in the second group, including reduced fear of memory loss (primary outcome), Alzheimer disease, anxiety, and subjective memory failures, and increased quality of life (secondary outcomes). Outcome measures will be applied at 5 time points (before, baseline, interim, and after the intervention, and at 3-month follow-up). Data will be analyzed using mixed models and correlations.CONCLUSIONS: Results from this study will contribute to the current literature on dementia-related fear and improve our understanding of how to effectively address and reduce these fears.TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04821960; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04821960.INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER (IRRID): PRR1-10.2196/30514.

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KW - mindfulness

KW - behavioral activation

KW - ANTICIPATORY DEMENTIA

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O'Loughlin P, Pavithra P, Regan J, Bennett M, Knight R, Lenaert B et al. 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. JMIR Research Protocols. 2021 Jul 30;10(7):e30514. doi: 10.2196/30514