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Effectiveness of computer-based interventions for community-dwelling people with cognitive decline: a systematic review with meta-analyses
Zuschnegg J, Schoberer D, Häussl A, Herzog SA, Russegger S, Ploder K, Fellner M, Hofmarcher-Holzhacker MM et al.. BMC geriatrics, 2023-04-12
Topic: Risk, prevention and care in population studies
Background Cognitive deficits arise with age and can increase the risk for subjective cognitive decline (SCD) and mild cognitive impairment (MCI), which may result in dementia, leading to health problems, care dependency and institutionalization. Results Twenty-four RCTs were identified, of which 1 RCT examined CCIs in individuals with SCD, 18 RCTs with MCI, and 6 RCTs with dementia. Meta-analyses with 12 RCTs showed significant effects of computer-based cognitive interventions for people with MCI in the domains memory, working memory, attention/concentration/processing speed and executive functioning, but no significant improvements in global cognition and language. Regarding dementia a meta-analysis pooled with 4 RCTs demonstrated a tendency towards, but no significant increase of memory functions (SMD 0.33, CI 95% [-0.10, 0.77]). One RCT regarding SCD reported significant improvements in memory functions for participants conducting a cognitive training on a personal computer. Conclusions The results demonstrated that CCIs have beneficial effects on domain-specific cognition in people with MCI but no significant effects on people with dementia. In terms of SCD, one study showed significant improvements in memory functions.
Key findings
- Background Cognitive deficits arise with age and can increase the risk for subjective cognitive decline (SCD) and mild cognitive impairment (MCI), which may result in dementia, leading to health problems, care dependency and institutionalization.
- Results Twenty-four RCTs were identified, of which 1 RCT examined CCIs in individuals with SCD, 18 RCTs with MCI, and 6 RCTs with dementia.
- Meta-analyses with 12 RCTs showed significant effects of computer-based cognitive interventions for people with MCI in the domains memory, working memory, attention/concentration/processing speed and executive functioning, but no significant improvements in global cognition and language.
- Regarding dementia a meta-analysis pooled with 4 RCTs demonstrated a tendency towards, but no significant increase of memory functions (SMD 0.33, CI 95% [-0.10, 0.77]).
- One RCT regarding SCD reported significant improvements in memory functions for participants conducting a cognitive training on a personal computer.
Why it matters
This review found that computer-based cognitive interventions significantly improved some specific cognitive domains in people with mild cognitive impairment, but found no significant improvements in global cognition or language, and no significant effects in people with dementia. It addresses cognitive training effects, not curing or preventing Alzheimer's disease.
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Study details
- Study designsystematic review
- Evidence strengthHigh
How this study scored 56/100
Published in a peer-reviewed journal, and it is a systematic review of all the studies on the question. Scored zero for sample size, effect reported and studied in people because the record does not state it.
| Component | Points | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Journal tier | 7 / 10 | Tier 3 — peer-reviewed journal (BMC geriatrics) |
| Journal's citation record | 2 / 4 | BMC Geriatrics: journal h-index 153 (OpenAlex, 2026-10-29) |
| Study design | 12 / 12 | A systematic review of all the studies on the question |
| Strength of evidence | 5 / 5 | Rated “high” in our summary |
| Peer-review validation | 10 / 10 | Peer-reviewed. Published as an article in a named peer-reviewed journal. |
| How recent | 3 / 5 | 2023 — within 6 year(s) of the newest study here |
| Sample size | 0 / 4 | Participant count not stated — scores zero (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Effect reported | 0 / 3 | No effect size reported — scores zero (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Studied in people | 0 / 3 | Not stated whether this was studied in people — scores zero (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Randomised / blinded | 0 / 2 | A review of other studies — randomisation is not credited here |
| Times cited | 4 / 7 | Cited 48 times (OpenAlex, 2026-10-10) |
| Citations per year | 3 / 5 | 9.6 citations a year over 5 year(s) since 2023 |
| Impact for its field and year | 2 / 6 | Cited 2.9× the average for papers of its field and year (OpenAlex FWCI) |
| Cited by studies here | 0 / 6 | No other study in this library cites it |
| Still being cited | 2 / 4 | Cited 45 times in 2024–2026 (2026 still in progress; OpenAlex) |
| Senior author's track record | 1 / 4 | Last-listed author Sandra Schüssler: h-index 13 (OpenAlex, whole career) |
| Institution's track record | 0 / 3 | Medical University of Graz: institution h-index 629 (OpenAlex) |
| Multi-centre collaboration | 1 / 3 | OpenAlex lists 3 institution(s) in 1 country |
| Indexed in PubMed | 2 / 2 | Indexed in PubMed (PMID 37041494) |
| Free to read | 2 / 2 | Free to read |
| Total | 56 / 100 | — |
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Read the original
Full text: free to read — OpenAlex lists this copy as free to read: the link above (checked 6 Feb 1020).
Cite this study APA, Vancouver, BibTeX · download .bib or .ris
Built from the record alzhub holds for this paper, not looked up. Volume, issue and page numbers are not held in the record. The record's author list ends in “et al.”, so not every author is named. Check the citation against the original before you use it.
APA 7th
Zuschnegg, J., Schoberer, D., Häussl, A., Herzog, S. A., Russegger, S., Ploder, K., et al. (2023). Effectiveness of computer-based interventions for community-dwelling people with cognitive decline: a systematic review with meta-analyses. BMC geriatrics. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12877-023-03941-y
Vancouver
Zuschnegg J, Schoberer D, Häussl A, Herzog SA, Russegger S, Ploder K, et al. Effectiveness of computer-based interventions for community-dwelling people with cognitive decline: a systematic review with meta-analyses. BMC geriatrics. 2023. doi:10.1186/s12877-023-03941-y. PMID: 37041494.
BibTeX
@article{zuschnegg2023-37041494,
author = {Zuschnegg, J. and Schoberer, D. and Häussl, A. and Herzog, S. A. and Russegger, S. and Ploder, K. and Fellner, M. and Hofmarcher-Holzhacker, M. M. and others},
title = {{Effectiveness of computer-based interventions for community-dwelling people with cognitive decline: a systematic review with meta-analyses}},
journal = {BMC geriatrics},
year = {2023},
doi = {10.1186/s12877-023-03941-y},
pmid = {37041494},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1186/s12877-023-03941-y}
}
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