Does Multicomponent Training Improve Cognitive Function in Older Adults Without Cognitive Impairment? A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

Leonardo Santos Lopes da Silva; Márcio Fernando Tasinafo Júnior; Leonardo da Silva Gonçalves; Arthur Polveiro da Silva; Luís Felipe Pengo Almeida Leite; Laura Scatena Fávero; Mateus do Carmo Bardella; João Gabriel Ribeiro de Lima; Carlos Roberto Bueno Júnior; Camila de Moraes

doi:10.1016/j.jamda.2023.03.004

Does Multicomponent Training Improve Cognitive Function in Older Adults Without Cognitive Impairment? A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

J Am Med Dir Assoc. 2023 Jun;24(6):765-772. doi: 10.1016/j.jamda.2023.03.004. Epub 2023 Apr 10.

Affiliations

¹ School of Physical Education and Sport of Ribeirão Preto (EEFERP/USP), University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil. Electronic address: leonardosls@usp.br.
² School of Physical Education and Sport of Ribeirão Preto (EEFERP/USP), University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil.
³ Department of Internal Medicine, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil.
⁴ School of Physical Education and Sport of Ribeirão Preto (EEFERP/USP), University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil; Department of Internal Medicine, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil.

PMID: 37054750
DOI: 10.1016/j.jamda.2023.03.004

Abstract

Objectives: To carry out a systematic review and meta-analysis to verify the effects of multicomponent training on the cognitive function of older adults without cognitive impairment.

Design: Systematic review and meta-analysis.

Setting and participants: Adults aged 60 years and older.

Methods: The searches were accomplished through MEDLINE (via PubMed), EMBASE, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, SCOPUS, LILACS, and Google Scholar databases. We performed the searches up to November 18, 2022. The study included only randomized controlled trials and older adults without any cognitive impairment (dementia, Alzheimer's, mild cognitive impairment, neurologic diseases). Risk of Bias 2 tool and PEDro scale was performed.

Results: Ten randomized controlled trials were included in the systematic review, of which 6 (involving 166 participants) were compiled in the meta-analysis of random effects models. The Mini-Mental State Examination and Montreal Cognitive Assessment were used to assess global cognitive function. The Trail-Making Test (TMT) (A and B domains) was performed by 4 studies. Compared with the control group, multicomponent training increases the global cognitive function (standardized mean difference = 0.58, 95% CI: 0.34-0.81, I² = 11%; P < .001). Regarding TMT-A and TMT-B, multicomponent training decreases the time performed in the tests (TMT-A: mean difference = -6.70, 95% CI: -10.19 to -3.21; I² = 51%; P = .0002) (TMT-B: mean difference = -8.80, 95% CI: -17.59 to -0.01; I² = 69%; P = .05). The PEDro scale for the studies in our review ranged from 7 to 8 (mean = 7.4 ± 0.5), meaning good methodologic quality, and most studies were judged as at least low in terms of risk of bias.

Conclusion and implications: Multicomponent training improves cognitive function in older adults without cognitive impairment. Therefore, a possible protective effect of multicomponent training for cognitive function in older adults is suggested.

Keywords: Alzheimer's disease; Exercise; aging; cognition; dementia.

Publication types

Meta-Analysis
Systematic Review
Review
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Aged
Cognition
Cognitive Dysfunction*
Humans
Mental Status and Dementia Tests
Middle Aged
Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic