Objective: The aim is to adapt a brain health program for the PD population, the Parkinson’s Health Initiative for Thinking and the Brain (PHIT Brain), and determine feasibility and efficacy in PD-MCI patients.

Background: Approximately 80% of PD patients will experience cognitive impairment. About 15% have MCI at the time of diagnosis, and 20-57% develop MCI within 5 years of diagnosis. Research supports the use of cognitive rehabilitation strategies, specifically compensatory strategies for memory and executive functioning difficulties, in MCI. Additionally, exercise, nutrition, social engagement, mental health, and healthy sleep have been identified as modifiable factors that promote brain health and are beneficial treatment targets in PD. As such, an integrative approach is relevant for holistically addressing health and functioning in PD.

Method: PHIT Brain is a 9-week intervention program where participants and their care partner learn about cognitive rehabilitation techniques (particularly for memory and executive functioning), brain healthy behaviors (exercise, nutrition, sleep), and goal-attainment strategies to incorporate these habits into a daily routine. A nonrandomized, uncontrolled pre-post design will be implemented with 30 participant/partner dyads (60 total individuals) with diagnosed PD-MCI according to neuropsychological evaluation. Individuals will attend weekly, 90-minute in-person sessions and complete a battery of questionnaires examining compensatory behavior, mood, cognition, social connection, physical activity, and quality of life/functioning at their baseline and final visit to evaluate pre- and post-treatment outcomes.

Results: The primary outcome of the study is use of cognitive compensatory strategies. Secondary outcomes include patient self-reported mood, cognitive complaints, social connection, quality of life/functioning, and physical activity. Recruitment of participants started in February 2025 and will continue until August 2025. Paired statistics (e.g., Wilcoxon signed-ranks, repeated measure ANCOVA) will be applied.

Conclusion: This intervention will provide insights on the adaptation, feasibility, and effectiveness of a multifaceted brain health program for supporting cognition, functioning, and quality of life in PD-MCI patients.

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MDS Abstracts - https://www.mdsabstracts.org/abstract/phit-brain-study-protocol-adaptation-and-evaluation-of-a-multifaceted-brain-health-intervention-for-patients-with-parkinsons-disease-and-mild-cognitive-impairment-pd-mci/