Comparative efficacy of digital cognitive training regimens on verbal fluency in older adults: A systematic review and network meta-analysis.

IF 6 2区医学 Q1 GERIATRICS & GERONTOLOGY

International psychogeriatrics Pub Date : 2026-07-31 DOI:10.1016/j.inpsyc.2026.100246

Xvdie Hu, Zi Wang, Yingying Wang, Qing Hu, Qiwen Yu, Changhao Jiang

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Background: Verbal fluency is a core marker for early cognitive decline in older adults. This study aimed to compare the relative efficacy of different digital cognitive training (DCT) regimens on verbal fluency in older adults, and identify the optimal intervention and moderators.

Methods: A search was conducted across PubMed, Web of Science, PsycINFO and IEEE Xplore from January 2015 to November 2025, and included randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of DCT for verbal fluency in adults aged ≥ 65 years. We conducted pairwise meta-analysis and frequentist network meta-analysis (NMA), with Bayesian model validation, subgroup analysis and meta-regression. Risk of bias was assessed with RoB 2.0, and evidence quality with GRADE.

Findings: 20 RCTs with 1358 participants were included. Compared with passive control, computerized cognitive training (CCT) combined with social/language activities had the optimal efficacy (SMD=0.47, 95%CI [0.02, 0.93], SUCRA=0.84), with greater benefits in older adults with cognitive impairment and lower education level. Furthermore, optimal therapeutic gains were observed following an initial acclimation period (i.e., >20 h of intervention duration).

Conclusions: CCT combined with social/language activities is the most effective DCT regimen to improve verbal fluency in older adults, especially for those with cognitive impairment and lower education level.The research protocol has been pre-registered on the Open Science Framework (OSF)( Registration DOI: 10.17605/OSF.IO/UGR7Y).This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation (NNSF) of China under Grant Nos. 32371132.

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数字认知训练方案对老年人语言流畅性的比较效果：系统回顾和网络荟萃分析。

背景：语言流畅性是老年人早期认知能力下降的核心标志。本研究旨在比较不同数字认知训练（DCT）方案对老年人语言流畅性的相对效果，并确定最佳干预措施和调节因子。方法：检索PubMed、Web of Science、PsycINFO和IEEE explore，检索时间为2015年1月至2025年11月，纳入DCT对年龄≥ 65岁成人语言流畅性的随机对照试验（RCTs）。采用贝叶斯模型验证、亚组分析和元回归等方法进行两两元分析和频率网络元分析（NMA）。偏倚风险评价采用RoB 2.0，证据质量评价采用GRADE。结果：纳入20项随机对照试验，共1358名受试者。与被动对照相比，计算机化认知训练（CCT）结合社交/语言活动的效果最佳（SMD=0.47, 95%CI [0.02, 0.93]， SUCRA=0.84），且在老年认知障碍患者和低文化水平人群中获益更大。此外，在最初的适应期（即干预持续时间bbb20 h）后观察到最佳的治疗效果。结论：CCT结合社交/语言活动是提高老年人语言流畅性的最有效的DCT方案，特别是对于认知障碍和低教育水平的老年人。该研究协议已在开放科学框架（OSF）上预注册（注册DOI: 10.17605/OSF. io /UGR7Y）。国家自然科学基金资助项目（no . 32371132）。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

International psychogeriatrics 医学-精神病学

CiteScore

9.10

自引率

8.60%

发文量

217

审稿时长

3-6 weeks

期刊介绍： A highly respected, multidisciplinary journal, International Psychogeriatrics publishes high quality original research papers in the field of psychogeriatrics. The journal aims to be the leading peer reviewed journal dealing with all aspects of the mental health of older people throughout the world. Circulated to over 1,000 members of the International Psychogeriatric Association, International Psychogeriatrics also features important editorials, provocative debates, literature reviews, book reviews and letters to the editor.