# Aging Well through Interactions and Scientific Education - Action Plan (AgeWISE-AP)

> **NIH VA I01** · EDITH NOURSE  ROGERS MEMORIAL VETERANS HOSPITAL · 2024 · —

## Abstract

The overall goal of this proposal is to conduct a fully powered randomized controlled trial of a multi-component
intervention designed to provide education about brain aging, improve feelings of control over brain aging, and
deliver practical assistance with creation of an executable action plan (AgeWISE-Action Plan). The AgeWISE-
Action Plan (AgeWISE-AP) is intended to extend our prior AgeWISE program by adding an individualized
action plan component to increase older Veteran engagement in brain healthy lifestyle activities.
AIM 1 (primary): To determine whether AgeWISE-AP increases older Veterans’ engagement in lifestyle
factors that promote brain health. AgeWISE provides information about the differences between normal and
diseased brain aging and lifestyle factors that contribute to brain health. The action plan (AP) component will
use this foundation to collaboratively create an individualized brain health plan to increase Veteran
engagement in brain healthy lifestyle activities. H1. AgeWISE-AP participants will demonstrate increased
engagement in brain-healthy lifestyle activities compared to the control group.
AIM 2 (primary): To determine whether AgeWISE-AP improves psychological wellness. AgeWISE
provides information about the relationship between cognitive aging and affective states (e.g., depression) and
attitudes about aging, and teaches stress reduction techniques. The action plan (AP) will provide additional
individualized supports to improve psychological well-being with personalized goals and lifestyle modifications
(e.g., diet, exercise, sleep, cognitive stimulation). H2. AgeWISE-AP participants will show increases in
perception of control over cognitive aging, meaning and purpose in life, quality of life, and self-efficacy, as well
as improved attitudes toward aging and decreased loneliness, depression, and anxiety compared to the control
group.
AIM 3 (primary): To determine whether AgeWISE-AP improves cognition. Cognitive strategies to improve
cognition and functioning are presented and practiced over three AgeWISE sessions, with homework to
improve generalization to day-to-day life. Engagement in brain-healthy lifestyle activities will be accomplished
through the action plan (AP). H3. Self-reported memory contentment, ability, and compensatory strategy use
will increase and objective cognitive testing will be better for AgeWISE-AP participants compared to the control
group.
Aim 4 (exploratory): To determine whether AgeWISE-AP influences biomarkers of brain health using
structural neuroimaging methods. H4. At one-year follow-up AgeWISE-AP participants will have less
volumetric decline in dementia-related brain regions compared to the control group.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10753879
- **Project number:** 1I01RX004828-01
- **Recipient organization:** EDITH NOURSE  ROGERS MEMORIAL VETERANS HOSPITAL
- **Principal Investigator:** Maureen Katheleen O'Connor
- **Activity code:** I01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** VA
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** —
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2023-10-01 → 2027-09-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10753879

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10753879, Aging Well through Interactions and Scientific Education - Action Plan (AgeWISE-AP) (1I01RX004828-01). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-25 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10753879. Licensed CC0.

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