Cognitive Training with Older Adults Using Smartphone and Web-Based Applications: A Scoping Review

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Psychology
• Digital Health

Background:

• Scoping review examining digital cognitive training interventions.
• Identified common apps, training frequencies, and targeted cognitive functions.
• Highlighted existing methodological limitations and disparities in research.

Purpose of the Study:

• To systematically review and synthesize existing research on cognitive training applications.
• To identify trends in app usage, intervention frequency, and cognitive domains targeted.
• To underscore the need for improved research methodologies in digital cognitive interventions.

Main Methods:

• Adherence to PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines.
• Comprehensive literature search across major databases: Web of Science, PsycInfo, Cochrane, and PubMed.
• Inclusion of 34 studies from an initial pool of 1733 identified articles.

Main Results:

• Significant heterogeneity observed in intervention protocols across studies.
• Identified a need for future research to address methodological restrictions and inconsistencies.
• The review synthesized data on app usage, training frequency, and cognitive functions targeted.

Conclusions:

• Cognitive training intervention protocols exhibit considerable diversity.
• Integrating physical fitness assessments with cognitive evaluations offers a holistic understanding of combined intervention impacts.
• Further investigation into the efficacy of cognitive training applications is crucial, considering individual variability and real-world applicability.