REDMA: Refreshment Drink for Memory and Attention Results from a Pilot Feasibility Study in Cognitively Healthy Younger Adults and Older Adults with and Without Dementia or Mild Cognitive Impairment

Background: Multidomain lifestyle interventions have emerged as promising strategies for promoting cognitive health and reducing dementia risk. REDMA (Refreshment Drink for Memory and Attention) is a low-burden, non-pharmacological, multi-ingredient nutritional formulation delivered in the form of a refreshment drink, originally designed for older adults, including individuals with dementia, with the aim of providing mental and emotional support. Objective: To evaluate the feasibility, acceptability, and self-reported perceived cognitive and emotional effects of REDMA among participants of different ages and with different cognitive profiles. Methods: A total of 34 participants were included in the analysis based on a pre-defined engagement-frequency threshold. Older adults, with or without cognitive impairment, were recruited through the Alzheimer Athens. Younger adults were recruited from the Department of Speech and Language Therapy, University of Patras, Greece. Of the 60 initially enrolled participants, 34 (56.7%) met the pre-defined consumption criterion of at least once-daily use for seven consecutive days, including 10 of 30 younger adults (33.3%) and 24 of 30 older adults (80.0%). Results: Among these 34 participants, self-reported acceptability was generally favorable. Participants reported predominantly moderate subjective improvements in cognitive clarity (brain fog), memory, energy, and calmness. Both younger and older adults showed levels of acceptability and satisfaction, with the older ones being more likely to recommend REDMA. Conclusions: These preliminary findings provide information regarding the short-term acceptability of REDMA among participants who met the consumption criteria. However, the substantial proportion of participants who did not meet these criteria, particularly among younger adults, limits conclusions regarding overall feasibility and adherence. Further evaluation in larger, controlled studies is warranted.