Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41580580›Full record

ReviewGeroScience2026

Optimizing cognitive functions in healthy older adults: a network meta-analysis of dual- and single-task interventions.

Barbara Cazzolli, Andrea Chirico, Federica Stefanelli, Michele Zacchilli, Elisa Cavicchiolo, Fabio Alivernini, Fabio Lucidi

Abstract readReview
PubMed Publisher
In one paragraph

Review in GeroScience, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–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

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

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

7 authors.

Barbara CazzolliDepartment of Psychology Development and Socialization Processes, Sapienza University of Rome, Via Dei Marsi, 78, 00185, Rome, RM, Italy.
Andrea ChiricoDepartment of Psychology Development and Socialization Processes, Sapienza University of Rome, Via Dei Marsi, 78, 00185, Rome, RM, Italy. andrea.chirico@uniroma1.it.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0001-9955-1926
Federica StefanelliDepartment of Psychology Development and Socialization Processes, Sapienza University of Rome, Via Dei Marsi, 78, 00185, Rome, RM, Italy.
Michele ZacchilliDepartment of Psychology Development and Socialization Processes, Sapienza University of Rome, Via Dei Marsi, 78, 00185, Rome, RM, Italy.
Elisa CavicchioloDepartment of Systems Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, 00133, Rome, Italy.
Fabio AliverniniDepartment of Psychology Development and Socialization Processes, Sapienza University of Rome, Via Dei Marsi, 78, 00185, Rome, RM, Italy.
Fabio LucidiDepartment of Psychology Development and Socialization Processes, Sapienza University of Rome, Via Dei Marsi, 78, 00185, Rome, RM, Italy.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Physical and cognitive interventions, alone or combined, are recognized strategies to enhance cognitive function in healthy older adults, though their relative effectiveness remains debated. This study aimed to compare and classify the impact of such interventions on cognitive performance. Following PRISMA guidelines, randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were identified through searches of PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus, with screening and data extraction procedures guided by the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions. The protocol was registered on PROSPERO (CRD42024565879). A network meta-analysis synthesized results from 87 studies including participants aged 65 and older. Interventions were grouped into seven groups, covering dual-task, single-task, technology-based formats, and a control group. Compared with controls, cognitive-motor dual-task training showed the strongest effects (SMD = 0.71, 95% CI 0.45, 0.97). Differences between exercise types were not statistically significant. However, dual-task approaches, whether technology-supported or not, outperformed traditional physical training (e.g., SMD = 0.33, 95% CI 0.05, 0.61). Findings suggest that dual-task interventions effectively enhance cognitive performance, with technology adding value by creating engaging and adaptive experiences. Technology particularly strengthened single-task training. Future research should examine specific executive functions and scalable technology-based methods to guide evidence-based strategies that promote healthy aging and cognitive resilience.

Indexed as

Cognitive performanceDual-taskElderlySingle-taskTechnologyTraining

Identifiers

PMID41580580

What Socratic holds

Textmetadata
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.