Evaluating the Effectiveness of Cognitive Interventions for Healthy and Mild Cognitive Impairment Adults: A Comprehensive Umbrella Meta-Analysis

Extensive research indicates that cognitive interventions can lead to a general improvement in cognitive functioning throughout the lifespan. In this study, we evaluate the causal evidence supporting this relationship in healthy older adults and older adults with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) by m...

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Main Authors: Giuseppe Forte, Francesca Favieri, Ilaria Corbo, Ilaria Chirico, Rabih Chattat, Anna Maria Della Vedova, Anna Pecchinenda, Maria Casagrande
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2025-01-01
Series:Journal of Aging Research
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/jare/4397025
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author Giuseppe Forte
Francesca Favieri
Ilaria Corbo
Ilaria Chirico
Rabih Chattat
Anna Maria Della Vedova
Anna Pecchinenda
Maria Casagrande
author_facet Giuseppe Forte
Francesca Favieri
Ilaria Corbo
Ilaria Chirico
Rabih Chattat
Anna Maria Della Vedova
Anna Pecchinenda
Maria Casagrande
author_sort Giuseppe Forte
collection DOAJ
description Extensive research indicates that cognitive interventions can lead to a general improvement in cognitive functioning throughout the lifespan. In this study, we evaluate the causal evidence supporting this relationship in healthy older adults and older adults with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) by means of an umbrella meta-analysis of meta-analyses. The meta-analytic studies were identified through systematic searches in electronic databases (CINAHL, Cochrane Library, PsycINFO, PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science) and were included in this umbrella meta-analysis if they examined the effects of cognitive interventions, not mixed with other approaches, in healthy older adults and individuals with MCI. Of the 9734 publications that were screened, 25 met the inclusion criteria and reported comprehensive data suitable for statistical analysis. Findings showed that although the effect-sizes across studies were variable, they were consistently positive, indicating a significant impact of different cognitive interventions on global cognitive functioning, memory, executive functions, visuospatial ability, and processing speed compared to control groups. This finding suggests that the efficacy of cognitive treatments is the best option for preclinical forms of aging, such as MCI. The underlying mechanisms of the observed improvements and their implications for further studies and clinical practice are discussed.
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spelling doaj-art-5285d250b8a940958b2bdfc29a13fc292025-08-20T02:21:21ZengWileyJournal of Aging Research2090-22122025-01-01202510.1155/jare/4397025Evaluating the Effectiveness of Cognitive Interventions for Healthy and Mild Cognitive Impairment Adults: A Comprehensive Umbrella Meta-AnalysisGiuseppe Forte0Francesca Favieri1Ilaria Corbo2Ilaria Chirico3Rabih Chattat4Anna Maria Della Vedova5Anna Pecchinenda6Maria Casagrande7Department of Dynamic and Clinical Psychology, and Health StudiesDepartment of Dynamic and Clinical Psychology, and Health StudiesDepartment of Dynamic and Clinical Psychology, and Health StudiesDepartment of PsychologyDepartment of PsychologyDepartment of Clinical and Experimental SciencesDepartment of PsychologyDepartment of Dynamic and Clinical Psychology, and Health StudiesExtensive research indicates that cognitive interventions can lead to a general improvement in cognitive functioning throughout the lifespan. In this study, we evaluate the causal evidence supporting this relationship in healthy older adults and older adults with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) by means of an umbrella meta-analysis of meta-analyses. The meta-analytic studies were identified through systematic searches in electronic databases (CINAHL, Cochrane Library, PsycINFO, PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science) and were included in this umbrella meta-analysis if they examined the effects of cognitive interventions, not mixed with other approaches, in healthy older adults and individuals with MCI. Of the 9734 publications that were screened, 25 met the inclusion criteria and reported comprehensive data suitable for statistical analysis. Findings showed that although the effect-sizes across studies were variable, they were consistently positive, indicating a significant impact of different cognitive interventions on global cognitive functioning, memory, executive functions, visuospatial ability, and processing speed compared to control groups. This finding suggests that the efficacy of cognitive treatments is the best option for preclinical forms of aging, such as MCI. The underlying mechanisms of the observed improvements and their implications for further studies and clinical practice are discussed.http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/jare/4397025
spellingShingle Giuseppe Forte
Francesca Favieri
Ilaria Corbo
Ilaria Chirico
Rabih Chattat
Anna Maria Della Vedova
Anna Pecchinenda
Maria Casagrande
Evaluating the Effectiveness of Cognitive Interventions for Healthy and Mild Cognitive Impairment Adults: A Comprehensive Umbrella Meta-Analysis
Journal of Aging Research
title Evaluating the Effectiveness of Cognitive Interventions for Healthy and Mild Cognitive Impairment Adults: A Comprehensive Umbrella Meta-Analysis
title_full Evaluating the Effectiveness of Cognitive Interventions for Healthy and Mild Cognitive Impairment Adults: A Comprehensive Umbrella Meta-Analysis
title_fullStr Evaluating the Effectiveness of Cognitive Interventions for Healthy and Mild Cognitive Impairment Adults: A Comprehensive Umbrella Meta-Analysis
title_full_unstemmed Evaluating the Effectiveness of Cognitive Interventions for Healthy and Mild Cognitive Impairment Adults: A Comprehensive Umbrella Meta-Analysis
title_short Evaluating the Effectiveness of Cognitive Interventions for Healthy and Mild Cognitive Impairment Adults: A Comprehensive Umbrella Meta-Analysis
title_sort evaluating the effectiveness of cognitive interventions for healthy and mild cognitive impairment adults a comprehensive umbrella meta analysis
url http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/jare/4397025
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