Effects of engagement, persistence and adherence on cognitive training outcomes in older adults with and without cognitive impairment: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials
Author:
Li Zhen1,
He Hao12,
Chen Yiqi13,
Guan Qing12
Affiliation:
1. School of Psychology, Shenzhen University , Shenzhen 518060 , China
2. Shenzhen-Hong Kong Institute of Brain Science–Shenzhen Fundamental Research Institutions , Shenzhen 518055 , China
3. Department of Psychology, University of Mannheim , Mannheim 68131 , Germany
Abstract
Abstract
Background
Limited understanding exists regarding the influences of engagement, persistence and adherence on the efficacy of cognitive training for age-related cognitive decline and neurodegenerative cognitive impairment.
Methods
This study conducted a meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials (RCTs). We systematically searched MEDLINE, PubMed, Web of Science, Embase and CINAHL databases from 1 January 2012 to 13 June 2023, and included RCTs assessing the effects of cognitive training in older adults, both with and without cognitive impairment. Hedges’ g with a 95% confidence interval (CI) was used to synthesise cognitive training effect sizes on various neuropsychological tests. Subgroup analyses were conducted based on variables including engagement, persistence, adherence and cognitive conditions of normal cognition, mild cognitive impairment (MCI) or neurodegenerative dementia.
Results
This meta-analysis included 55 RCTs with 4,455 participants with cognitive conditions spanning normal cognition, MCI and neurodegenerative dementia. The mean age of participants was 73.9 (range: 65.7–84.5) years. Overall, cognitive training showed a significant cross-domain effect (Hedges’ g = 0.286, 95% CI: 0.224–0.348). Training effects are significant when engagement or persistence rates exceed 60% or when adherence rates exceed 80%. Higher levels of persistence are required to achieve significant training effects in memory, visuospatial ability and reasoning than in executive function and attention and language. Higher persistence is also required for older adults with normal cognition to achieve significant training gains compared to those with cognitive impairment.
Conclusions
This systematic review highlights the critical roles of engagement, persistence and adherence in augmenting the efficacy of cognitive training.
Funder
National Natural Science Foundation of China
Major International Joint Research Project
Guangdong Basic and Applied Basic Research Foundation
Shenzhen-Hong Kong Institute of Brain Science
Scientific and Technological Innovation 2030—Major Project of ‘Brain Science and Brain-Like Research’
Publisher
Oxford University Press (OUP)
Subject
Geriatrics and Gerontology,Aging,General Medicine
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