Feasibility of an 8-week lifestyle intervention combining exercise, diet, cognitive training, and social engagement in individuals with mild cognitive impairment: a pilot randomized controlled trial.

Objectives

To evaluate the feasibility and preliminary effects of an 8-week multidomain lifestyle intervention for individuals with mild cognitive impairment (MCI).

Methods

This pilot randomized controlled trial enrolled 30 individuals with MCI who were randomly assigned to a multidomain lifestyle intervention group or a health education control group. The intervention integrated nutritional modification, structured physical exercise, cognitive training, and social engagement over 8 weeks. Feasibility outcomes included recruitment, retention, adherence, and intervention-related adverse events. Exploratory outcomes were assessed at baseline and week 8 including cognitive function, social support, depressive symptoms and health-related quality of life.

Results

The recruitment rate was 56.7%, and 78.9% of eligible individuals who were approached provided informed consent. Retention was 100% in both groups, and adherence was high across the intervention components. Although no significant within-group change in cognitive function was observed in the intervention group, a significant between-group difference was detected at post-intervention (P＜0.05). Compared with the control group, the intervention group also showed greater improvement in social support and quality of life, while depressive symptoms were maintained rather than worsening (P＜0.05).

Conclusions

This 8-week multidomain lifestyle intervention was feasible and well tolerated in individuals with MCI. Preliminary between-group results favouring the intervention require confirmation in a larger, adequately powered randomized controlled trial with longer follow-up. TRIAL REGISTRATION ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT06942780 Registered on April 9, 2025,https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT06942780.