Cognition-based interventions for healthy older people and people with mild cognitive impairment.
Level 1 - systematic review of randomized trials
Systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
PubMed 21249675 · doi:10.1002/14651858.CD006220.pub2
What was done
Authors conducted a Cochrane systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials from 1970 to 2007. They evaluated cognitive training interventions across cognitive domains (memory, executive function, attention, and speed) in healthy older adults and individuals with mild cognitive impairment compared to active and no-treatment controls.
What was found
The abstract reports no numerical effect sizes, sample sizes, or test statistics. Only data on memory training could be quantitatively pooled. In both healthy older adults and individuals with mild cognitive impairment, immediate and delayed verbal recall improved significantly compared to no-treatment controls, but gains did not exceed those seen in active control conditions.
Why it matters
This review highlights that while cognitive engagement can improve memory recall relative to no treatment, observed benefits are not specific to cognitive training itself when compared against active controls.
Limits
The abstract provides no numerical data, counts of included trials, or participant sample sizes. High heterogeneity between studies prevented meta-analysis for cognitive domains outside of memory (executive function, attention, and speed).
Cited by
- supports Studies testing cognitive and mental exercises in patients who already have cognitive impairment generally show little clinical benefit.