On 28 October 2024, the “pdp Braincoach” app was launched as an addition to Luxembourg’s national Programme for Dementia Prevention (pdp). With the introduction of the app, this initiative targets primary prevention, raising awareness about dementia risk reduction to Luxembourg’s population and encouraging residents to take early and proactive steps toward brain health. pdp Braincoach is an adaptation of the Dutch MijnBreincoach app and is specifically tailored to Luxembourg’s population. The app gives users insights into their personal risk profile for dementia and offers tailored feedback on “room for improvement” incentivising lifestyle changes concerning twelve modifiable risk and protective factors.
Based on scientific evidence, the following risk factors, if well addressed, can prevent a substantial proportion of dementia cases:
• Cardiovascular disease
• High blood pressure
• High cholesterol
• Diabetes
• Chronic kidney disease
• Obesity
• Diet
• Physical inactivity
• Mental stimulation
• Smoking
• High alcohol consumption
• Depression.
With the help of the pdp Braincoach app, users receive practical feedback on where they can make changes to support long-term brain health. Once a user selects one or more risk factor themes, the app sends notifications, offering tips, quizzes and challenges to help them work steadily toward these goals for only a few minutes daily. By addressing multiple aspects of lifestyle and health, the app provides a comprehensive approach with local resources to support users in lowering dementia risk, empowering individuals to take manageable steps to protect their cognitive health. The Programme for Dementia Prevention is a collaborative effort between the Luxembourg Institute of Health, the University’s Luxembourg Centre for Systems Biomedicine, and the Centre Hospitalier de Luxembourg. Initiated in 2018, the program’s goal is to reduce dementia risk among individuals with subjective cognitive complaints or mild cognitive impairment living in Luxembourg.
By offering in-depth neuropsychological assessments and receiving personalized health advice from ‘memory coaches’, the programme provides specialized guidance to personalised reduction of dementia risk. With the launch of pdp Braincoach, this initiative extends to a wider adult audience, including those aged 40 to 75 who may not have specific cognitive complaints but are interested in maintaining cognitive health. The app opens up preventive resources to a broader demographic, aiming to embed dementia prevention habits into everyday life. Get Started with PDP Braincoach pdp Braincoach is available for free on the Luxembourgish Android and Apple app stores in English, French, and German. To access a web-based version or learn more about the app, visit www.pdp-app.lu
For more information regarding the Programme for Dementia Prevention, visit: www.pdp.lu