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Subjective memory complaints and awareness of memory functioning in mild cognitive impairment: a systematic review
Roberts JL, Clare L, Woods RT.. Dementia and geriatric cognitive disorders, 2009-08-13
Topic: Risk, prevention and care in population studies
Objectives Subjective memory complaint (SMC) is central to the diagnosis of mild cognitive impairment (MCI). People with MCI are at a higher risk of progressing to dementia, and research on SMC is contradictory in terms of the accuracy of SMC and its predictive role for future dementia. One possible reason for these contradictory findings is that the level of awareness of memory function may vary among people with MCI. This review examines whether the level of awareness of memory functioning varies amongst people classified as having MCI and whether there is support for the suggestion that the level of awareness in MCI predicts future progression to dementia. Method Sixteen studies were identified which evaluate the awareness level in people classified as having MCI in either a clinical or research setting. In addition to the outcome of each study, the conceptualization of awareness, 'object' of awareness and methodology were also considered. Results There is evidence to show that the level of awareness in MCI does vary, and this may have implications for future progression to dementia. Conclusions Given the increased risk of progression to dementia for those identified as having MCI, the role of awareness should be explored further with due consideration given to the conceptualization of awareness and the methodology employed. The finding of variability in awareness has implications for the use of SMC in the diagnostic criteria for MCI.
Key findings
- People with MCI are at a higher risk of progressing to dementia, and research on SMC is contradictory in terms of the accuracy of SMC and its predictive role for future dementia.
- This review examines whether the level of awareness of memory functioning varies amongst people classified as having MCI and whether there is support for the suggestion that the level of awareness in MCI predicts future progression to dementia.
- Results There is evidence to show that the level of awareness in MCI does vary, and this may have implications for future progression to dementia.
- Conclusions Given the increased risk of progression to dementia for those identified as having MCI, the role of awareness should be explored further with due consideration given to the conceptualization of awareness and the methodology employed.
Why it matters
This review of 16 studies found evidence that the level of awareness of memory function varies among people with mild cognitive impairment, which may have implications for future progression to dementia. The authors conclude that the role of awareness should be explored further, with attention to how awareness is defined and measured.
Study details
- Evidence strengthLow
How this study scored 51/100
Published in a peer-reviewed journal, and it is a meta-analysis pooling many studies. 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 (Dementia and geriatric cognitive disorders) |
| Journal's citation record | 1 / 4 | Dementia and Geriatric Cognitive Disorders: journal h-index 149 (OpenAlex, 2026-10-29) |
| Study design | 12 / 12 | A meta-analysis pooling many studies (from PubMed type “Meta-Analysis”) |
| Strength of evidence | 1 / 5 | Rated “low” in our summary |
| Peer-review validation | 10 / 10 | Peer-reviewed. Published as an article in a named peer-reviewed journal. |
| How recent | 1 / 5 | 2009 — within 20 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 | 5 / 7 | Cited 219 times (OpenAlex, 2026-10-10) |
| Citations per year | 3 / 5 | 11.5 citations a year over 19 year(s) since 2009 |
| Impact for its field and year | 2 / 6 | Cited 1.8× the average for papers of its field and year (OpenAlex FWCI) |
| Cited by studies here | 2 / 6 | Cited by 8 other studies in this library |
| Still being cited | 2 / 4 | Cited 22 times in 2024–2026 (2026 still in progress; OpenAlex) |
| Senior author's track record | 3 / 4 | Last-listed author Bob T. Woods: h-index 85 (OpenAlex, whole career) |
| Institution's track record | 0 / 3 | Bangor University: institution h-index 484 (OpenAlex) |
| Multi-centre collaboration | 0 / 3 | OpenAlex lists 1 institution(s) in 1 country — scores zero (affiliation lists can be incomplete) |
| Indexed in PubMed | 2 / 2 | Indexed in PubMed (PMID 19684399) |
| Free to read | 0 / 2 | Behind a paywall — scores zero |
| Total | 51 / 100 | — |
What each of these 20 components measures, and what this score is not →
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APA 7th
Roberts, J. L., Clare, L., & Woods, R. T. (2009). Subjective memory complaints and awareness of memory functioning in mild cognitive impairment: a systematic review. Dementia and geriatric cognitive disorders. https://doi.org/10.1159/000234911
Vancouver
Roberts JL, Clare L, Woods RT. Subjective memory complaints and awareness of memory functioning in mild cognitive impairment: a systematic review. Dementia and geriatric cognitive disorders. 2009. doi:10.1159/000234911. PMID: 19684399.
BibTeX
@article{roberts2009-19684399,
author = {Roberts, J. L. and Clare, L. and Woods, R. T.},
title = {{Subjective memory complaints and awareness of memory functioning in mild cognitive impairment: a systematic review}},
journal = {Dementia and geriatric cognitive disorders},
year = {2009},
doi = {10.1159/000234911},
pmid = {19684399},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1159/000234911}
}
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