EMBRACE - From Vulnerable to Empowered: Implementation and Evaluation of a Multicomponent Program to Tackling Age-related Decline

Selective attention and concentration ability will be assessed using the d2 Test. The d2 Test is a neuropsychological instrument used to evaluate selective attention, concentration, and processing speed through a timed cancellation task consisting of 14 lines to be completed in a maximum of 20 seconds per line. Performance is measured through task execution indices, concentration, processing speed, and error percentage. Higher scores on task execution and concentration indices, and lower error percentages, indicate better attentional performance.

Executive functions will be assessed using the IFS. The IFS is a cognitive screening instrument used to evaluate executive functioning, including inhibitory control, cognitive flexibility, working memory, and abstraction ability, with scores ranging from 0 to 30, where higher scores indicate better executive functioning.

Inhibitory control, cognitive flexibility, and resistance to interference will be assessed using the Stroop Test. The Stroop Test consists of three tasks (word, color, and color-word), each administered within a maximum time of 45 seconds. Performance is measured by the number of words, colors, and stimuli correctly identified, where higher scores indicate better cognitive performance.

Alternating attention, visual attention, and processing speed will be assessed using the TMT. The TMT is a neuropsychological instrument used to evaluate visual attention, alternating attention, and processing speed through a timed task requiring participants to connect a sequence of numbers and letters. Performance is measured by completion time in seconds, where shorter completion times indicate better cognitive performance.

Working memory will be assessed using the Spatial Span Subtest of the WMS-III. The Spatial Span Subtest is a neuropsychological instrument used to evaluate visuospatial working memory through forward and backward span tasks, with scores ranging from 0 to 32, where higher scores indicate better working memory performance.

Immediate and delayed verbal episodic memory will be assessed using the Logical Memory Subtest of the WMS-III. The Logical Memory Subtest is a neuropsychological instrument used to evaluate the recall and recognition of verbally presented information, with scores ranging from 0 to 75 for immediate recall, 0 to 30 for delayed recall, and 0 to 30 for recognition, where higher scores indicate better memory performance.

Verbal learning and memory will be assessed using the RAVLT. The RAVLT is a neuropsychological instrument used to evaluate verbal learning, immediate recall, delayed recall, and recognition memory through repeated presentation of a 15-word list. Performance is measured by the number of correctly recalled or recognized words across the assessment trials, where higher scores indicate better verbal learning and memory performance.

Naming ability will be assessed using the BNT. The BNT is a neuropsychological instrument used to evaluate confrontation naming ability through the identification of visually presented objects, with scores ranging from 0 to 60, where higher scores indicate better naming performance.

Verbal fluency and executive functions will be assessed through Phonemic and Semantic Verbal Fluency Tests. These neuropsychological tests are used to evaluate information retrieval from memory, executive functions (such as cognitive flexibility, planning, and inhibitory control), and language production through word generation within a maximum time frame of 1 minute for each task, where higher scores indicate better performance in verbal fluency.

Functionality in instrumental activities of daily living will be assessed using the IADL scale. The IADL scale is used to evaluate independence in everyday functional activities, with scores ranging from 8 to 31, where lower scores indicate greater functional independence.

Symptoms of anxiety and depression will be assessed using the HADS. The HADS is a self-report questionnaire used to evaluate symptoms of anxiety and depression, with scores ranging from 0 to 21 for each subscale, where higher scores indicate greater symptom severity.

Financial literacy and functionality in numerical activities of daily living will be assessed using the NADL-F assessment. The NADL-F is used to evaluate financial abilities and numerical functioning in everyday activities across domains including money counting (scores ranging from 0 to 5), reading abilities (0 to 8), purchasing articles (0 to 14), percentages (0 to 9), financial concepts (0 to 14), bill payment (0 to 6), and financial judgment (0 to 6), where higher scores indicate better financial functioning and autonomy in daily life.

Language abilities will be assessed using the Bedside Language Test. The Bedside Language Test is a language assessment tool used to evaluate speech, language comprehension, repetition, reading, and writing abilities, with scores ranging from 0 to 25, where higher scores indicate better language performance.

Adherence to the Mediterranean diet will be assessed using the PREDIMED questionnaire. The PREDIMED questionnaire is used to evaluate adherence to Mediterranean dietary patterns, with scores ranging from 0 to 14, where higher scores indicate greater adherence to the Mediterranean diet.

Physical activity level will be assessed using the IPAQ. The IPAQ is used to evaluate the frequency, duration, and intensity of physical activity performed in daily life. Physical activity levels are calculated in MET-minutes per week based on the frequency and duration of walking and moderate- and vigorous-intensity activities, with higher scores indicating higher levels of physical activity.

Functional mobility and dynamic balance ability will be assessed using the TUG. The TUG is used to evaluate functional mobility and dynamic balance through the time required to stand up from a chair, walk a short distance, return, and sit down, with performance measured in seconds, where shorter completion times indicate better functional mobility and balance.

Systolic and diastolic blood pressure will be measured in millimeters of mercury (mmHg). Scores range from approximately (for diastolic) 60-120 and (for systolic) 100-180 mmHg, with higher scores indicating higher blood pressure.

Body mass index (BMI) will be calculated using body weight and height and expressed in kilograms per square meter (kg/m²). BMI is a measure of body size based on weight relative to height.

Handgrip strength will be assessed using a hand dynamometer. Performance is measured in kilograms-force (kgf), where higher values indicate greater muscular strength.

Hematological status will be assessed using a blood count performed through blood analysis. Results will be reported according to standard laboratory reference units.

Serum magnesium levels will be assessed through blood analysis and reported according to standard laboratory reference units.

Serum iron levels will be assessed through blood analysis and reported according to standard laboratory reference units.

Vitamin B12 levels will be assessed through blood analysis and reported according to standard laboratory reference units.

Oral health status will be assessed using the Decayed, Missing, and Filled Teeth Index (CPO-D). The CPO-D index is used to evaluate oral health status based on the number of decayed, missing, and filled teeth, where higher scores indicate poorer oral health status.

Salivary condition and oral health status will be assessed using salivary pH analysis. Salivary pH values will be measured to evaluate salivary condition and oral health status, and will be reported according to standard pH units.

Dental prosthesis status will be assessed through clinical oral examination. The assessment will evaluate the presence, type, functional status, and need for adjustment or replacement of dental prostheses.