FINGER-elintapaohjelma:toimintamalli kognitiivisen toimintakyvyn tukemiseen

Tiivistelmä Suomessa toteutettu FINGER-tutkimus tarjoaa toimintamallin maailmanlaajuisen muistisairausepidemian hillitsemiseksi. Monimuotoinen ohjelma voi pienentää muistihäiriöiden riskiä jopa 30 %. Ohjelman kulmakivet ovat käytännönläheinen ravitsemusohjaus, nousujohteinen liikuntaharjoittelu, muistiharjoittelu sekä sydän- ja verisuonitautien riskitekijöiden hallinta. Muistisairauksien ehkäisyn toimintamalli tulisi integroida nykyisiin sydän- ja verisuonitautien ja diabeteksen ehkäisytoimiin.
The Finnish Intervention Study to Prevent Cognitive Impairment and Disability (FINGER) was globally the first randomized controlled trial showing that intensive lifestyle intervention targeting simultaneously several modifiable dementia-related risk factors has beneficial effects on the cognition of older persons who are at increased risk for cognitive decline. FINGER intervention included simultaneous nutritional guidance, physical exercise, cognitive training and social activities, and management of vascular risk factors. The control group received regular health advice. FINGER results showed that persons in the intervention group had a 30% lower risk for cognitive decline during the 2-year intervention compared with the control group. Beneficial effects were also seen for physical functioning and quality of life. Successful FINGER intervention serves as a model for effective dementia prevention. The model should be integrated into existing cardiovascular disease and diabetes prevention strategies.