The effectiveness of digital technology interventions for cognitive function in older adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

• Published in: GeroScience Vol. 47; no. 1; pp. 653 - 683
• Main Authors: Chen, Chen, Huang, Ning, Hu, Ban, Zhang, Mingyu, Yuan, Junliang, Guo, Jing
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Cham Springer International Publishing 01.02.2025; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Aged; Biomedical and Life Sciences; Cell Biology; Clinical trials; Cognition; Cognitive ability; Cognitive Dysfunction - prevention & control; Cognitive Dysfunction - therapy; Computer applications; Dementia disorders; Digital Technology; Executive Function; Geriatrics/Gerontology; Humans; Intervention; Life Sciences; Meta-analysis; Molecular Medicine; Older people; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Review; Reviews; Cognitive function; Digital technology interventions; Older adults; Meta-analysis; Randomized controlled trials
• ISSN: 2509-2723; 2509-2715; 2509-2723
• DOI: 10.1007/s11357-024-01446-z

Digital technology interventions (DTIs) are seen as promising interventions to prevent or delay cognitive decline in older adults, yet evidence from reviews is not conclusive. The aim of this study is to explore the effectiveness of DTIs in improving older adults’ cognitive function while taking study design and intervention characteristics as moderators. We searched the PubMed, Embase, CINAHL, PsycINFO, and Scopus databases up to May 26, 2023. Only randomized controlled trials examined the effects of DTIs on cognitive function were included in our study. Standardized mean difference (SMD) and 95% confidence interval for outcomes were applied in meta-analyses and subgroup analyses. A risk of bias assessment was also conducted. Overall, 23 eligible studies with a total sample size of 1454 participants were included. We found that DTIs significantly improved global cognitive function (SMD = 0.479), attention and processing speed (SMD = 0.488), executive function (SMD = 0.287), immediate recall (SMD = 0.266), and working memory (SMD = 0.307). Our subgroup analyses revealed that DTIs were more effective for cognitively impaired subjects, and DTIs with specific intervention characteristics, such as the inclusion of cognitive standard tasks, virtual reality-based interventions, specialized settings, professional guidance, low/medium-density training, > 24 sessions, and sessions lasting > 30 min, were more effective for different cognitive domains. This study supported the effectiveness of DTIs in improving cognitive function in older adults aged 60 years old and over, which may be influenced by study design and intervention characteristics. These findings have important implications for clinical dementia prevention and treatment strategies targeted at specific cognitive domains.