Evidence mapPaperPMID 41894199Full record

SynthesisAge and ageing2026

Effectiveness of physio-cognitive dual-task training on improving global cognition, health-related quality of life, and physical outcomes among older adults with neurocognitive disorders: an umbrella review.

Calvin Wei Jie Chern, Ling Jie Cheng, Glenys Shu Wen Chiang, Siat Yee Yap, Thuy Anh Giang, Siew Tiang Lau

Abstract readSystematic Review
In one paragraph

Synthesis in Age and ageing, 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

6 authors.

Calvin Wei Jie ChernNational University of Singapore, Alice Lee Centre for Nursing Studies, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, Singapore, Singapore.ORCID 0009-0001-5432-4305
Ling Jie ChengNational University of Singapore, Alice Lee Centre for Nursing Studies, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, Singapore, Singapore.ORCID 0000-0002-5338-578X
Glenys Shu Wen ChiangNg Teng Fong General Hospital, Nursing Department, Singapore, Singapore.ORCID 0009-0004-3671-642X
Siat Yee YapNational University of Singapore, Alice Lee Centre for Nursing Studies, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, Singapore, Singapore.
Thuy Anh GiangKhoo Teck Puat Hospital, Department of Rehabilitation Services, Singapore, Singapore.ORCID 0000-0002-6410-8681
Siew Tiang LauNational University of Singapore, Alice Lee Centre for Nursing Studies, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, Singapore, Singapore.ORCID 0000-0003-2845-6168

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundPhysio-cognitive dual-task training (PCDT), combining physical and cognitive tasks, is a promising approach. However, clarity regarding its effectiveness and evidence credibility remains limited.

objectiveTo evaluate PCDT effectiveness on global cognition, health-related quality of life, and physical outcomes (activities of daily living, gait, balance) in older adults with neurocognitive disorders, assess review quality and evidence certainty, and explore moderator effects.

methodsEight databases and grey literature were searched to 31 December 2024. Two reviewers independently screened, extracted data, and assessed review quality (AMSTAR-2) and evidence certainty (GRADE). Meta-level and study-level meta-analyses were conducted. Subgroup analyses and meta-regression explored moderator effects. PROSPERO: CRD42024622115.

resultsSeventeen reviews with 47 unique meta-analyses involving 81 unique studies were included. Meta-level analyses indicated small significant improvements across outcomes except health-related quality of life. Study-level analyses, correcting for overlapping primary studies, confirmed significant benefits for global cognition and health-related quality of life; however, physical outcome effects were non-significant. Prediction intervals for all outcomes were non-significant. Simultaneous PCDT and higher weekly frequency showed greater benefits. Participants with dementia benefited less than those with mild cognitive impairment. Age was not a significant moderator. Most reviews were low or critically low quality, and evidence certainty was low.

conclusionsPCDT is potentially associated with improvements in cognitive, physical, and quality-of-life outcomes among older adults with neurocognitive disorders. However, prediction intervals suggest effectiveness uncertainty, and heavy sample weighting toward prodromal stages warrants caution. PCDT may not be indicated for cognitive improvement in established dementia. High-quality reviews are urgently needed.

Indexed as

CognitionNeurocognitive DisordersQuality of LifeActivities of Daily LivingAgedCognitive EnhancementCognitive TrainingDual-Task TestsHumansPostural BalanceTreatment Outcomeagedcognitive trainingneurocognitive disordersolder peoplequality of liferehabilitationsystematic review

Identifiers

PMID41894199
PMCPMC13023371

What Socratic holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
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.