Mental decline in elderly can be slowed if they include regular walk, healthy food, and proper management of metabolic and vascular risk factors in their routine.

In the Finnish Geriatric Intervention Study to Prevent Cognitive Impairment and Disability (FINGER), study researchers evaluated the effects of a comprehensive intervention on brain function. The intervention was designed with an aim to address some of the most vital risk factors linked to age-related dementia, like high body-mass index and heart health.

In the study, 1,260 people from Finland and considered to be at risk of dementia were involved. They were aged between 60 and 77 years. The researchers randomly divided the total two sub-groups. One of them was allocated to the intervention group and other sub-group was allocated to a control group, who received health advice on regular basis.

After hiatus of two years, the study researchers scored participants' mental function using the Neuropsychological Test Battery (NTB). In this test, a higher score depicted better mental functioning. In total, test scores in the intervention group were 25% higher than in the control group.

In certain tests, result was quite striking. To cite an example, results for executive functioning was 83% higher in the intervention group and their processing speed was 150% higher.

Professor Kivipelto said that their study is the first large randomized controlled trial to prove that an intensive programme designed to address these risk factors can prove beneficial in preventing cognitive decline in older people at risk of dementia.

The study published in the Lancet medical journal also unveiled that the study participants will now be followed for at least seven years.