ACTIVE: A cognitive intervention trial to promote independence in older adults

The Advanced Cognitive Training for Independent and Vital Elderly (ACTIVE) trial is a randomized, controlled, single-masked trial designed to determin e whether cognitive training interventions (memory, reasoning, and speed of information processing), which have previously been found to be successful at improving mental abilities under laboratory or small-scale field condit ions, can affect cognitively based measures of daily functioning. Enrollmen t began during 1998; 2-year follow-up will be completed by January 2002. Pr imary outcomes focus on measures of cognitively demanding everyday function ing, including financial management, food preparation, medication use, and driving. Secondary outcomes include health-related quality of life, mobilit y, and health-service utilization. Trial participants (n = 2832) are aged 6 5 and over, and at entry into the trial, did not have significant cognitive , physical, or functional decline. Because of its size and the carefully de veloped rigor, ACTIVE may serve as a guide for future behavioral medicine t rials of this nature. Published by Elsevier Science Inc. 2001.