The Effect of Health Belief Model-Based Education on Knowledge and Behavioral Changes Regarding Dementia in Older Adults

NCT07505693 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: HASANKU- HEM- ZB- 01
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 66
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

While age is one of the strongest known risk factors for the onset of dementia, dementia is not an inevitable consequence of aging. Several modifiable risk factors, such as physical inactivity, obesity, diabetes, hypertension, smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, depression, and social isolation, increase the risk of developing dementia (WHO, 2025). Positive health beliefs and attitudes toward preventing or reducing the risk of dementia can encourage individuals to adopt healthy lifestyle behaviors (Vrijsen et al., 2021). Many studies in the literature have investigated the effects of lifestyle interventions on dementia prevention and reported that adhering to a healthy lifestyle can improve cognitive function and reduce or delay the risk of dementia (An et al., 2025; Siette 2023; Lee et al., 2022). The Health Belief Model argues that individuals' health behaviors are influenced by their beliefs, values, and attitudes (Gözüm \& Çapık, 2014). Considering individuals' beliefs and attitudes towards health, the education and treatment offered can be tailored to the individual and their benefit can be ensured (Gözüm \& Çapık, 2014; Li et al., 2022). Within the framework of the Health Belief Model, it has been stated that reducing the perceived barriers in individuals in the intervention process aimed at preventing dementia is a fundamental factor in strengthening their beliefs about dementia prevention and encouraging the development of healthy behavioral habits (Li et al., 2022). Therefore, it is thought that Health Belief Model-based education applied to the elderly may have an effect on individuals' level of knowledge about dementia and their motivation to change behaviors to reduce the risk of dementia.

Conditions

Dementia Education; Prevention Intervention; Aged 60 Years or Older; Volunteering to Participate in the Study

Keywords

dementia; aged; Information Motivation Behavioral Skills Model; Health Education; Primary Prevention

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Dementia Knowledge Scale

  The scale, originally developed by Annear, M. J., Toye, C., Elliott, K. E. J., McInerney, F., Eccleston, C., \& Robinson, A. (2017), was adapted into Turkish by Akyol, M. A., et al. in 2021. The scale consists of 17 items and is unidimensional. Each item is scored as indicated. The total score is obtained by summing the scale items. The lowest possible score is 0 and the highest is 34. A higher score indicates that participants have a higher level of knowledge about dementia. The scale has no cutoff point. Cronbach's α is 0.836, and all fit indices are above 0.90.

  Up to 8 weeks

Secondary Outcomes (1)

• Behavioral Modification Motivation Scale for Reducing Dementia Risk

  Up to 8 weeks

Study Arms (2)

Intervention Group

EXPERIMENTAL

* 30 individuals aged 60 and over, * Registered with and actively using the services of the Active Living Center, * Not diagnosed with dementia, * Not having visual and/or hearing impairments, * Having reading comprehension skills, * Having Turkish speaking and comprehension skills, * Not having a psychiatric diagnosis, * Not using psychiatric medication, * Not having previously participated in a dementia-related training program, will be included in the study in 3 groups of 10 people each. The training program will begin with an introductory session and the administration of pre-tests, and will be completed in 7 sessions over 4 weeks, two days a week. Each session in the training program will last approximately 45-50 minutes. After the last session, the elderly will be given an educational booklet on dementia prevention. The post-test will be administered the following week after the educational booklet is given to the patients.

Behavioral: 1. Introduction Session: Increasing Perceived Sensitivity; Behavioral: Session 2: Increasing the Perception of Seriousness/Importance; Behavioral: Session 3: Increasing the Perception of Benefit; Behavioral: Session 4: Addressing the Perception of Barriers; Behavioral: Session 5: Raising Awareness and Enhancing Self-Efficacy of Implementers

Control Group

NO INTERVENTION

* 30 individuals aged 60 and over, * Registered with and actively using the services of the Active Life Center, * Not diagnosed with dementia, * Not having visual and/or hearing impairments, * Having reading comprehension skills, * Having Turkish speaking and comprehension skills, * Not having a psychiatric diagnosis, * Not using psychiatric medication, * Not having previously participated in a dementia-related training program, After a pre-test and a post-test session without intervention, the elderly in the control group will be given a single-session training program and a training booklet.

Interventions

Session 3: Increasing the Perception of Benefit BEHAVIORAL

What Can We Change? In this session, we will focus on the tools we have to reduce the risk. • Modifiable Factors: Factors such as physical inactivity, high blood pressure, smoking, and social isolation increase the risk of dementia. • Protective Steps: Taking brisk walks at least 1-2 days a week, keeping blood pressure under control, and using a hearing aid if you have hearing loss protects the brain. • Mental Activity: Learning new things, reading books, and solving puzzles are the strongest shields for brain health.

Intervention Group

1. Introduction Session: Increasing Perceived Sensitivity BEHAVIORAL

SESSION 1: Do We Know Dementia? (Perceived Awareness) In this session, we will learn what dementia is and its symptoms. • What is Dementia? Dementia means "loss of the mind"; it is not simply forgetfulness, but an impairment of thinking and understanding abilities. • Symptoms: It manifests itself with symptoms such as difficulty finding words, getting lost in familiar places, or forgetting recent events. • Prevalence: As the elderly population increases worldwide and in Turkey, dementia cases are also rapidly increasing.

Intervention Group

Session 4: Addressing the Perception of Barriers BEHAVIORAL

Overcoming Obstacles: In this session, we will identify the obstacles to developing healthy habits. Recognizing the Obstacles: Why don't we exercise enough? What challenges are we facing in our diet? Why are we socializing? Self-Assessment: Smoking addiction, sleep problems, or the use of multiple medications can make lifestyle changes difficult.

Intervention Group

Session 5: Raising Awareness and Enhancing Self-Efficacy of Implementers BEHAVIORAL

Taking Action In this session, we plan how to incorporate what we've learned into our lives. Goal Setting: We will take concrete steps such as keeping blood pressure below 140/80 mmHg, ventilating the room for quality sleep, and maintaining regular communication with loved ones. Belief: It's important to start with small goals by saying, "I believe I can do this." Suggestion: If you're out of breath while walking, you're at the right pace.

Intervention Group

Session 2: Increasing the Perception of Seriousness/Importance BEHAVIORAL

Severity and Stages of the Disease (Perceived Severity) In this session, we will discuss how the disease progresses and what happens in each stage. • Stages: Dementia progresses in three stages: Mild, Moderate, and Advanced. • Mild Stage: The person is usually independent but frequently loses belongings and begins to forget names. • Moderate and Advanced Stages: Assistance is needed for daily tasks, time/space perception is confused, and in the advanced stage, the person may become completely dependent on others. • Early Diagnosis: The earlier the disease is detected, the more possible it is to preserve the quality of life.

Intervention Group

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 60 Years+
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• Individuals who are:
• years of age and older,
• Registered with the Active Living Center and actively using its services,
• Not diagnosed with dementia,
• Not visually and/or hearing impaired,
• Possessing reading comprehension skills,
• Possessing Turkish speaking and comprehension skills,
• Not having a psychiatric diagnosis,
• Not taking psychiatric medication,
• Not having previously participated in a dementia-related training program, and who volunteer to participate in the study will be included.

You may not qualify if:

• Individuals who have not attended at least two sessions of the Training Program,
• Individuals who refuse to participate in/wish to withdraw from the Training Program will be excluded from the research by the researcher.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Hasan Kalyoncu University: lead

Study Sites (1)

Gaziantep Active Life Center

Gaziantep, Gazi̇antep, 27000, Turkey (Türkiye)

Location

Related Publications (1)

• 1. Çap Kurşun, D., Ebeoğlu Duman, M., & Tüzün Gün, Z. (2024). Bağlı Damgalama Ölçeği'nin Demans Bakım Verenlerinde Türkçe Geçerlik Güvenirlik Çalışması. Turk Psikiyatri Dergisi, 35(4). 2. Vrijsen, J., Matulessij, T. F., Joxhorst, T., de Rooij, S. E., & Smidt, N. (2021). Knowledge, health beliefs and attitudes towards dementia and dementia risk reduction among the Dutch general population: A cross-sectional study. BMC public health, 21, 1-11. 3. Gözüm, S., & Çapık, C. (2014). Sağlık davranışlarının geliştirilmesinde bir rehber: sağlık inanç modeli. Dokuz Eylül Üniversitesi Hemşirelik Fakültesi Elektronik Dergisi, 7(3), 230-237. 4. Li, H., Zhang, J., Wang, L., Yang, T., & Yang, Y. (2022). A health promoting-lifestyle prediction model for dementia prevention among Chinese adults: based on the health belief model. BMC Public Health, 22(1), 2450. 5. An, H., Hong, I., Han, D. S., & Park, H. Y. (2025). A Program for Reinforcing Lifestyle Change Motivation and Lifestyle Behavior to Prevent Dementia in Community-Dwelling Middle-Aged and Older Adults: Applying the Health Belief Model. INQUIRY: The Journal of Health Care Organization, Provision, and Financing, 62, 00469580251324046. 6. World Health Organization: WHO. (2025, March 31). Dementia. World Health Organization: WHO. Retrieved July 2, 2025, from https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/dementia 7. World Health Organization. (2017). Global action plan on the public health response to dementia 2017-2025. In Global action plan on the public health response to dementia 2017-2025. 8. Pipatpiboon, N., Sripetchwandee, J., Koonrungsesomboon, N., Bawornthip, P., & Bressington, D. (2024). Establishing the feasibility and preliminary efficacy of a health belief model based educational training program on health belief perceptions and dementia-preventive behaviors in people with type 2 diabetes. Nursing & Health Sciences, 26(1), e13081. 9. Alzheımers & Dementıa Death Rate By Country. (n.d.) (2020). World Life Expectancy.

  BACKGROUND

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Dementia; Health Education

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Brain Diseases; Central Nervous System Diseases; Nervous System Diseases; Neurocognitive Disorders; Mental Disorders; Adherence Interventions; Medication Adherence; Patient Compliance; Patient Acceptance of Health Care; Treatment Adherence and Compliance; Health Behavior; Behavior

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: SINGLE
• Who Masked: PARTICIPANT
• Masking Details: The number of people in each group will be determined by G\*power analysis, which will be used to create the sample size and entered into the program. In the randomization method, a computer program (https://www.randomizer.org/) will be used to determine the participants in the Group Control (GC) and Group Management (MC) groups using a simple random number method. The numbers in the first group will be assigned as MC, and the remaining numbers in the second group will be assigned as GC. Individuals in the GC and MC groups will not be informed of their group affiliation, and the time spent by each group at the center will be arranged to minimize group interactions. Furthermore, the data collection tools used for pre-test and post-test evaluation before and after the implementation of the Training Plan will be administered face-to-face by the researcher at the Active Life Center.
• Purpose: PREVENTION
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Nursing Research assistant Zehra Boztepe

Model Details: Pre-Test 1. Introduction Session: Increasing Perceived Awareness (Definition of dementia, prevalence in the world and in Turkey, causes, symptoms and findings) 2. Session: Increasing Perception of Severity/Importance (Stages of dementia, processes after diagnosis and difficulties experienced by individuals diagnosed with dementia) 3. Session: Increasing Perception of Benefit (Importance of preventing the development of dementia, modifiable factors affecting the development of dementia and the importance of early diagnosis and treatment) 4. Session: Addressing Perception of Barriers (Barriers they may encounter in the diagnosis and assessment process of dementia) 5. Session: Increasing Awareness of Action-Oriented Individuals and Increasing Self-Efficacy (Providing suggestions for integrating modifiable risk factors into their lives) Post-Test

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: March 23, 2026
• First Posted: April 1, 2026
• Study Start: February 23, 2026
• Primary Completion: April 22, 2026
• Study Completion: May 22, 2026
• Last Updated: June 2, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-05

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

TU (1)