Comparative Effectiveness of Different Dual Task Mode Interventions on Cognitive Function in Older Adults With Mild Cognitive Impairment or Dementia: A Systematic Review and Network Meta-Analysis
Aging Clinical and Experimental Research
Hao, Y., Zhao, Y., et al. (2025).
Aging Clinical and Experimental Research, 37(1), 139.
<div>This systematic review and meta-analysis investigates the effects of dual task interventions on cognitive function in individuals with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) or dementia.</div>
National Natural Science Foundation of China; Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities (China); Central High-level Hospital Clinical Research Operating Expenses Special Medical-industrial Integration Special Program (China); Key Science and Technology Projects in Liaoning Province (China)
From database inception to July 28, 2024
<div>Randomized-controlled trials</div>
32
<div>Motor-cognitive and dual cognitive task training showed significant effects for global cognition and memory in individuals with MCI and dementia. More specifically, dual cognitive task training improved global cognition with a large effect (SMD =1.15). Motor-cognitive training also significantly improved executive function (SMD = 1.40) and depressive symptoms (SMD = -0.95), though there were no significant differences for ADLs, gait, or balance.</div>
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<div>Limitations to this review include the potential for selection bias, heterogeneity among the included studies, and small sample sizes of the included studies.</div>
<div>Pairwise network meta-analysis indicated that motor-cognitive dual task training (SMD = 0.73) and dual cognitive task training (SMD = 1.09) were significant to improve global cognition compared to controls. Dual cognitive task training was the most effective to improve global cognition for individuals with MCI and dementia (SUCRA = 79.2%) and was superior to motor-cognitive dual task training (SUCRA = 52.8%) and to controls (SUCRA = 0.6%). For executive function, motor-cognitive task training significantly outperformed the control group (SMD=1.53), while dual cognitive training did not differ significantly from controls. </div>
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<div>Limitations to this review include the potential for selection bias, heterogeneity among the included studies, and small sample sizes of the included studies.</div>
<div>Pairwise network meta-analysis also revealed that motor-cognitive task training did not significantly improve muscle strength or balance as compared to controls, but did improve ADLs significantly (SMD = 1.50). Similarly, motor-cognitive dual task training significantly improved depressive symptoms (SMD = -0.96) and improved quality of life (SMD = 1.20) as compared to controls.</div>
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<div>Limitations to this review include the potential for selection bias, heterogeneity among the included studies, and small sample sizes of the included studies.</div>
