The Impact of a Computerized Cognitive Training on Healthy Older Adults: A Systematic Review Focused on Processing Speed and Attention

Cognitive interventions, especially cognitive training, may improve cognitive functions in healthy older adults. Computerized cognitive training platforms offer several advantages over traditional programs for cognitive training and stimulation. The focus of this article is the methodology of the studies that apply a particular online training program. We investigate the effectiveness of several studies for cognitive training in healthy elderly people and evaluate reported outcomes and potential bias and what factors determine, influence or contribute to the positive or negative results. The post-intervention scores demonstrate that computerized cognitive training may enhance some cognitive functions and the overall cognitive status but there is need for additional research to prove its effectiveness.

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The Impact of the Mediterranean Diet on the Cognitive Functioning of Healthy Older Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Advances in Nutrition ◽

10.3945/an.117.015495 ◽

2017 ◽

Keyword(s):

Systematic Review ◽

Older Adults ◽

Cognitive Functioning ◽

Mediterranean Diet ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Healthy Older Adults ◽

The Mediterranean ◽

The Impact

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The Impact of Protein Supplementation on Appetite and Energy Intake in Healthy Older Adults: A Systematic Review with Meta-Analysis

Advances in Nutrition ◽

10.1093/advances/nmaa115 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Sana Ben-Harchache ◽

Helen M Roche ◽

Clare A Corish ◽

Katy M Horner

Keyword(s):

Systematic Review ◽

Older Adults ◽

Longitudinal Studies ◽

Energy Intake ◽

Energy Content ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Protein Supplementation ◽

Cochrane Library ◽

Healthy Older Adults ◽

The Impact

ABSTRACT Protein supplementation is an attractive strategy to prevent loss of muscle mass in older adults. However, it could be counterproductive due to adverse effects on appetite. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to determine the effects of protein supplementation on appetite and/or energy intake (EI) in healthy older adults. MEDLINE, The Cochrane Library, CINAHL, and Web of Science were searched up to June 2020. Acute and longitudinal studies in healthy adults ≥60 y of age that reported effects of protein supplementation (through supplements or whole foods) compared with control and/or preintervention (for longitudinal studies) on appetite ratings, appetite-related peptides, and/or EI were included. Random-effects model meta-analysis was performed on EI, with other outcomes qualitatively reviewed. Twenty-two studies (9 acute, 13 longitudinal) were included, involving 857 participants (331 males, 526 females). In acute studies (n = 8), appetite ratings were suppressed in 7 out of 24 protein arms. For acute studies reporting EI (n = 7, n = 22 protein arms), test meal EI was reduced following protein preload compared with control [mean difference (MD): −164 kJ; 95% CI: −299, −29 kJ; P = 0.02]. However, when energy content of the supplement was accounted for, total EI was greater with protein compared with control (MD: 649 kJ; 95% CI: 438, 861 kJ; P < 0.00001). Longitudinal studies (n = 12 protein arms) showed a higher protein intake (MD: 0.29 g ⋅ kg−1 ⋅ d−1; 95% CI: 0.14, 0.45 g ⋅ kg−1 ⋅ d−1; P < 0.001) and no difference in daily EI between protein and control groups at the end of trials (MD: −54 kJ/d; 95% CI: −300, 193 kJ/d; P = 0.67). While appetite ratings may be suppressed with acute protein supplementation, there is either a positive effect or no effect on total EI in acute and longitudinal studies, respectively. Therefore, protein supplementation may represent an effective solution to increase protein intakes in healthy older adults without compromising EI through appetite suppression. This trial was registered at PROSPERO as https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?ID=CRD42019125771 (CRD42019125771).

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Computerized Cognitive Training with Older Adults: A Systematic Review

PLoS ONE ◽

10.1371/journal.pone.0040588 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 7 (7) ◽

pp. e40588 ◽

Cited By ~ 299

Author(s):

Alexandra M. Kueider ◽

Jeanine M. Parisi ◽

Alden L. Gross ◽

George W. Rebok

Keyword(s):

Systematic Review ◽

Older Adults ◽

Cognitive Training ◽

Computerized Cognitive Training

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The Effects of Gamification on Computerized Cognitive Training: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

JMIR Serious Games ◽

10.2196/18644 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 8 (3) ◽

pp. e18644 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Julie F Vermeir ◽

Melanie J White ◽

Daniel Johnson ◽

Geert Crombez ◽

Dimitri M L Van Ryckeghem

Keyword(s):

Systematic Review ◽

Cognitive Training ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Empirical Studies ◽

Age Groups ◽

Future Research ◽

Computerized Cognitive Training ◽

Meta Analyses ◽

Game Elements ◽

The Impact

Background There has been a growing interest in the application of gamification (ie, the use of game elements) to computerized cognitive training. The introduction of targeted gamification features to such tasks may increase motivation and engagement as well as improve intervention effects. However, it is possible that game elements can also have adverse effects on cognitive training (eg, be a distraction), which can outweigh their potential motivational benefits. So far, little is known about the effectiveness of such applications. Objective This study aims to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis to investigate the effect of gamification on process outcomes (eg, motivation) and on changes in the training domain (eg, cognition), as well as to explore the role of potential moderators. Methods We searched PsycINFO, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, ProQuest Psychology, Web of Science, Scopus, PubMed, Science Direct, Excerpta Medica dataBASE, Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Xplore, Association for Computing Machinery, and a range of gray-area literature databases. The searches included papers published between 2008 and 2018. Meta-analyses were performed using a random-effects model. Results The systematic review identified 49 studies, of which 9 randomized controlled trials were included in the meta-analysis. The results of the review indicated that research in this context is still developing and lacks well-controlled empirical studies. Gamification in cognitive training is applied to a large range of age groups and audiences and is mostly delivered at a research site through computers. Rewards and feedback continue to dominate the gamification landscape, whereas social-oriented features (eg, competition) are underused. The meta-analyses showed that gamified training tasks were more motivating/engaging (Hedges g=0.72) and more demanding/difficult (Hedges g=–0.52) than non- or less-gamified tasks, whereas no effects on the training domain were found. Furthermore, no variables moderated the impact of gamified training tasks. However, meta-analytic findings were limited due to a small number of studies. Conclusions Overall, this review provides an overview of the existing research in the domain and provides evidence for the effectiveness of gamification in improving motivation/engagement in the context of cognitive training. We discuss the shortcomings in the current literature and provide recommendations for future research.

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