Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40436677›Full record

SynthesisThe journal of prevention of Alzheimer's disease2025

Comparative efficacy of cognitive training modalities in cognitive impairment: A systematic review and network meta-analysis.

Li-Bing Liang, Shan Wang, Kun-Peng Li, Cai-Qin Wu

Abstract readComparative StudyNetwork Meta-AnalysisSystematic Review
In one paragraph

Synthesis in The journal of prevention of Alzheimer's disease, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 11 papers, 3 of them syntheses that pooled it.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
11citing papers in PubMed, 3 pooled it
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

11 citing papers in PubMed, 3 syntheses or guidelines pooled it.

  1. Pooled it
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  3. Pooled it
  4. Review
  5. Review
  6. Article
  7. Article
  8. Observational
  9. Review
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4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

4 authors.

Li-Bing LiangSchool of Nursing, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 201203, China. Electronic address: 1666584337@qq.com.
Shan WangSchool of Nursing, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 201203, China. Electronic address: 13061691124@163.com.
Kun-Peng LiSchool of Exercise and Health, Shanghai University of Sport, Shanghai 200438, China. Electronic address: xyfyli@163.com.
Cai-Qin WuSchool of Nursing, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 201203, China. Electronic address: yuwuchina@aliyun.com.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundCognitive training is a widely utilized non-pharmacological intervention to enhance cognitive performance in individuals with cognitive impairment. Despite its potential, significant ambiguity remains regarding its definition, optimal modalities, and design parameters. It remains unclear which types of cognitive training are relatively optimal for different levels of cognitive impairment or how intervention designs can maximize therapeutic benefits.

objectivesThis systematic review and network meta-analysis aimed to compare the effects of various cognitive training modalities on cognitive, psychological, and quality-of-life outcomes in individuals with cognitive impairment. Additionally, it sought to identify optimal intervention approaches, clarify key design parameters, and examine critical factors influencing treatment efficacy.

methodsA comprehensive search was conducted across 12 databases from the establishment of the database until October 24, 2024, to identify eligible randomized controlled trials (RCTs) evaluating cognitive training interventions. Data were analyzed using pairwise meta-analysis and network meta-analysis in Review Manager 5.4 and Stata 18.

resultsTotally 43 RCTs were included. Pairwise meta-analysis revealed that cognitive strategy training demonstrated superior to active control (AC) or passive control (PC) in improving language function, immediate memory, depressive symptoms and quality of life. However, no significant effects were detected regarding cognitive impairment severity, delivery format, interventionist expertise level, training duration, or control type. Network meta-analysis further identified reminiscence therapy as the most pronounced effective intervention for improving global cognition across all stages of cognitive impairment.

conclusionsReminiscence therapy has been demonstrated as a relatively optimal cognitive training modality for enhancing cognitive function in individuals with varying levels of cognitive impairment. Future studies should prioritize longitudinal investigations to validate the durability of therapeutic benefits and incorporate neuroimaging and biomarker analyses to elucidate underlying mechanisms. High-quality RCTs remain imperative to strengthen the evidence base and evaluate the consistency of effects across diverse cognitive training interventions.

Indexed as

Cognitive Behavioral TherapyCognitive DysfunctionCognitionCognitive TrainingHumansQuality of LifeRandomized Controlled Trials as TopicTreatment OutcomeCognitive impairmentCognitive trainingNetwork meta-analysisReminiscence therapySystematic review

Identifiers

PMID40436677
PMCPMC12321626

What Socratic holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY-NC-ND
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the Socratic graph.