Does Multicomponent Training Improve Cognitive Function in Older Adults Without Cognitive Impairment? A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

Objectives To carry out a systematic review and meta-analysis to verify the effects of multicomponent training on the cognitive function of older adults without cognitive impairment. Design Systematic review and meta-analysis. Setting and Participants Adults aged 60 years and older. Methods The searches were accomplished through MEDLINE (via PubMed), EMBASE, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, SCOPUS, LILACS, and Google Scholar databases. We performed the searches up to November 18, 2022. The study included only randomized controlled trials and older adults without any cognitive impairment (dementia, Alzheimer's, mild cognitive impairment, neurologic diseases). Risk of Bias 2 tool and PEDro scale was performed. Results Ten randomized controlled trials were included in the systematic review, of which 6 (involving 166 participants) were compiled in the meta-analysis of random effects models. The Mini-Mental State Examination and Montreal Cognitive Assessment were used to assess global cognitive function. The Trail-Making Test (TMT) (A and B domains) was performed by 4 studies. Compared with the control group, multicomponent training increases the global cognitive function (standardized mean difference = 0.58, 95% CI: 0.34-0.81, I2 = 11%; P < .001). Regarding TMT-A and TMT-B, multicomponent training decreases the time performed in the tests (TMT-A: mean difference = −6.70, 95% CI: −10.19 to −3.21; I2 = 51%; P = .0002) (TMT-B: mean difference = −8.80, 95% CI: −17.59 to −0.01; I2 = 69%; P = .05). The PEDro scale for the studies in our review ranged from 7 to 8 (mean = 7.4 ± 0.5), meaning good methodologic quality, and most studies were judged as at least low in terms of risk of bias. Conclusion and Implications Multicomponent training improves cognitive function in older adults without cognitive impairment. Therefore, a possible protective effect of multicomponent training for cognitive function in older adults is suggested.