title: The impact of cognitive training and mental stimulation on cognitive and everyday functioning of healthy older adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
abstract: This systematic review and meta-analysis investigates the impact of cognitive training and general mental stimulation on the cognitive and everyday functioning of older adults without known cognitive impairment. We examine transfer and maintenance of intervention effects, and the impact of training in group versus individual settings. Thirty-one randomised controlled trials were included, with 1806 participants in cognitive training groups and 386 in general mental stimulation groups. Meta-analysis results revealed that compared to active controls, cognitive training improved performance on measures of executive function (working memory, p=0.04; processing speed, p<0.0001) and composite measures of cognitive function (p=0.001). Compared to no intervention, cognitive training improved performance on measures of memory (face-name recall, p=0.02; immediate recall, p=0.02; paired associates, p=0.001) and subjective cognitive function (p=0.01). The impact of cognitive training on everyday functioning is largely under investigated. More research is required to determine if general mental stimulation can benefit cognitive and everyday functioning. Transfer and maintenance of intervention effects are most commonly reported when training is adaptive, with at least ten intervention sessions and a long-term follow-up. Memory and subjective cognitive performance might be improved by training in group versus individual settings.
authors.affiliation: The NEIL Programme, Institute of Neuroscience, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2, Ireland. Electronic address: kellym50@tcd.ie.
authors.forename: Michelle E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Kelly
authors.affiliation: The NEIL Programme, Institute of Neuroscience, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2, Ireland. Electronic address: loughred@tcd.ie.
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Loughrey
authors.affiliation: The NEIL Programme, Institute of Neuroscience, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2, Ireland. Electronic address: lawlorb@stjames.ie.
authors.forename: Brian A
authors.initials: BA
authors.lastname: Lawlor
authors.affiliation: The NEIL Programme, Institute of Neuroscience, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2, Ireland. Electronic address: iroberts@tcd.ie.
authors.forename: Ian H
authors.initials: IH
authors.lastname: Robertson
authors.affiliation: Department of Statistics, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2, Ireland. Electronic address: walshc@tcd.ie.
authors.forename: Cathal
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Walsh
authors.affiliation: The NEIL Programme, Institute of Neuroscience, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2, Ireland. Electronic address: brennas1@tcd.ie.
authors.forename: Sabina
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Brennan
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D003071:Cognition / Q000502:physiology*; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy; D058245:Cognitive Reserve / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008606:Mental Processes / Q000502:physiology*
keywords: Cognitive functioning; Cognitive training; Healthy older adults; Mental stimulation; Meta-analysis; Systematic review