DEMENTIA RISK PREVENTION THROUGH LIFESTYLE RISK FACTORS
CAN-THUMBS UP: The Canadian Therapeutic Platform Trial for Multidomain Interventions to Prevent Dementia
The Brain Health PRO Online Risk Factor Reduction Study (BHPROOF)
BACKGROUND
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Prior studies have shown that programs that focus on promoting brain health and managing lifestyle risks (such as poor diet, obesity, physical inactivity, sleep issues, loneliness) may help in preventing or lowering the risk of dementia.
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Brain Health PRO (BHPro) is an online educational program that is part of the CAN-THUMBS UP program, and it provides information to those at risk of dementia about how they can modify their lifestyle risk factors.
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A previous study was conducted to test a 45-week version of BHPro to see if it could be delivered successfully to over 350 Canadians at risk for dementia, and findings were that it led to positive lifestyle changes in several areas.
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As a next step, we have designed a 23-week version of BHPro and are testing this in the BHPROOF study to see whether the BHPro intervention leads to positive changes compared to those not receiving the intervention.
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To test this, some participants in this study will be assigned to the BHPro intervention right away and others will be assigned to it in 6 months, but all participants will be able to access the BHPro intervention during the study. Participation in the study will last from 18-24 months.
YOU MAY BE ELIGIBLE TO PARTICIPATE IF YOU:
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Live in Canada
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Are 50-80 years of age
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Are able to communicate in English or French
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Have sufficient vision to participate in an online educational program and complete online tests of memory and thinking
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Have regular access to a computer or tablet with an internet connection and the ability to send and receive emails
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Are at increased risk of dementia due to one of the following:
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Having a first-degree family history of dementia, OR
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Education level at or below high school (grade 12 or less) OR
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Having any of the following: hypertension (high blood pressure), hypercholesterolemia (high cholesterol), high body mass index (BMI), or physically inactive lifestyle
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WHAT WOULD I HAVE TO DO?
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Participate in the study for 18-24 months (everything is done online and from your home)
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Complete questionnaires asking about your demographics, medical history, family history, height, weight, vision, and hearing
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Complete questionnaires every 3-6 months about your lifestyle risk factors, knowledge of dementia, and your ability to complete tasks and cope with difficulties
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Complete weekly modules to learn about reducing your dementia risk through lifestyle risk factors for 6 months with continued access to view additional content at your leisure for an additional 12 months
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Complete an online test of memory and thinking every 6 months
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Evaluate the usability and acceptability of Brain Health PRO and your satisfaction with the research study
Please note that the BHPROOF study is currently open for English speaking participants (May 2026), but it will open for French speaking participants soon.
“Having a close family member and friends affected by dementia I know the importance of maintaining the health of my brain and my body. Brain Health PRO explains the health related factors that can lead to dementia in clear and understandable language. Brain Health PRO has motivated me to work to improve my overall health. I need to maintain my brain health for my own sake and for the sake of my family.”
- Emsley P., Vancouver, BC
I am enjoying Brain Health PRO very much. I look forward to the weekly email so I can learn more about dementia and the modifiable risks. There is a lot of information in there and the videos are very well done. The narrator’s voice is very smooth and easy to understand. The text in the slides are very helpful to understand. Hats off to the developers of this program!
- Louise, Moncton, NB