The Everyday Function Intervention Trial (EFIT) protocol: A randomized clinical trial

Lesley A Ross; Courtney Fine; Abigail T Stephan; Hye Won Chai; Ava McVey; Christine B Phillips; Alyssa Gamaldo; Jacqueline Mogle; Nancy Dennis; Martin Sliwinski; Kristina Visscher

doi:10.1016/j.cct.2025.107829

The Everyday Function Intervention Trial (EFIT) protocol: A randomized clinical trial

Contemp Clin Trials. 2025 May:152:107829. doi: 10.1016/j.cct.2025.107829. Epub 2025 Jan 30.

Affiliations

¹ Clemson University, Department of Psychology and Institute for Engaged Aging, 418 Brackett Hall, Clemson, SC 29631, United States. Electronic address: laross@clemson.edu.
² Clemson University, Department of Psychology and Institute for Engaged Aging, 418 Brackett Hall, Clemson, SC 29631, United States.
³ Pennsylvania State University, Department of Psychology, 140 Moore Building, University Park, PA 16802, United States.
⁴ Pennsylvania State University, Department of Human Development and Family Studies, 133 Health and Human Development Building, University Park, PA 16802, United States.
⁵ University of Alabama at Birmingham, Department of Neurobiology, SHEL 912, 1720 2nd Avenue South, Birmingham, AL 35294, United States.

PMID: 39892866
DOI: 10.1016/j.cct.2025.107829

Abstract

Background: Preserving cognition and everyday function is essential for maintaining independence and reducing risk of Alzheimer's disease and related dementias (ADRD). Useful Field of View training (UFOVt) is a computerized cognitive training program that achieves these goals; however, the mechanisms underlying UFOVt are unclear. The Everyday Function Intervention Trial (EFIT) is a double-blind randomized clinical controlled trial designed to assess potential cognitive, psychosocial, biological, and lifestyle mechanisms underlying UFOVt. In the current paper, we outline the protocol employed in EFIT.

Methods: Community-dwelling older adults (N = 96) completed cognitive, psychosocial, health, and lifestyle assessments on a study-provided laptop at baseline, post-test, and three-month follow-up, along with additional daily cognitive, psychosocial, health, and lifestyle assessments on a study-provided smartphone throughout the study period. Following baseline, participants were randomized into the cognitive training or active control group completing twenty hours of brain games across ten weeks. A subsample (n = 38) completed additional activities: wearing a FitBit, undergoing MRI scans, and using at-home sleep monitors across two nights at baseline and post-test. Aside from MRI sessions, participants completed study activities remotely.

Discussion: EFIT's design included several novel features: ecological momentary assessment; remote data collection; evaluation of mediators before, during, and after training; training tasks targeting one cognitive domain at a time; performance-based and self-reported everyday function and instrumental activities of daily living measures; use of an active control group; and an exploratory multilevel modeling analytic approach. These features will provide an in-depth understanding of intervention transfer effects and guide the design of future cognitive interventions.

Keywords: Brain training; Cognitive function; Cognitive training; Everyday functioning.

Publication types

Randomized Controlled Trial

MeSH terms

Activities of Daily Living*
Aged
Aged, 80 and over
Alzheimer Disease* / prevention & control
Cognition
Cognitive Dysfunction*
Double-Blind Method
Female
Humans
Independent Living
Life Style
Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Male