Can a phone app help keep your brain sharp? new study says maybe.
NCT ID NCT05565170
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This study tested whether a lifestyle program delivered through a smartphone app could help older adults (ages 60-77) at risk for dementia. 156 participants in four countries were split into two groups: one received a structured program with app support and in-person sessions, while the other got basic health advice. The main goal was to see if the program was practical and if it could lower dementia risk scores.
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Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
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Not a phased trial
Phase numbers describe drug development. The registry uses this when they do not apply, as it does for trials of devices, procedures or behaviour changes, and for observational studies.
- Participants
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156 people
The number who actually took part.
- Started
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Jan 2023
- Finished
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Jul 2025
- Lead sponsor
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A government agency
The lead sponsor is a government body.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
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60 to 77 years
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
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Accepted
You do not need to have the condition being studied to take part.
Show the full entry requirements Hide the full entry requirements
Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: * Age 60-77 years * Cardiovascular Risk Factors, Aging and Incidence of Dementia (CAIDE) Risk Score ≥ 6 points * Cognitive performance at the mean level or slightly lower than expected for age, assessed with Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) and the Consortium to Establish a registry for Alzheimer's Disease (CERAD) verbal learning test (word list learning/recall) * Proficiency in the local language (German, Italian, Finnish or Swedish) * Ability and willingness to use an Android smartphone, access to and ability to use the internet (digital readiness) * Existing compatible smartphone (Android) or willingness to use a new Android smartphone provided from the study Exclusion Criteria: * Dementia or substantial cognitive impairment (e.g., memory clinic referral needed as judged by the study physician) * Current or past use of medications for Alzheimer's disease or related diseases (e.g., cholinesterase inhibitors, memantine) * Diminished decision-making capacity, not capable of consenting or completing study assessments, based on clinical judgement * Other significant neurologic disease, including but not limited to Parkinson's disease, Huntington's disease, normal pressure hydrocephalus, brain tumor, progressive supranuclear palsy, seizure disorder, subdural hematoma, multiple sclerosis, or history of significant head trauma with persistent neurologic sequelae or known structural brain abnormalities * Any condition affecting safe engagement in the intervention, e.g., malignant disease, major depression, symptomatic cardiovascular disease, revascularisation within 1 year previously * Severe loss of vision, hearing, or communicative ability; conditions preventing cooperation as judged by the study physician * Concomitant participation in an interventional trial (unless this will not interfere with the LETHE trial based on study staff's judgement)
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare
Helsinki, Finland
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Karolinska Institutet
Stockholm, Sweden
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Medical University of Vienna
Vienna, Austria
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University of Perugia
Perugia, Italy
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Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.
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