Multidomain intervention for dementia prevention: a scoping review

Area of Science:

• Gerontology and Public Health
• Neuroscience and Cognitive Science
• Evidence-Based Medicine

Background:

• Dementia prevention is a growing global health priority, particularly in aging populations.
• Multidomain interventions targeting lifestyle and risk factors show potential for mitigating dementia risk.
• Understanding intervention components and cultural adaptations is crucial for effective implementation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To conduct a scoping review of multidomain dementia prevention interventions.
• To identify core intervention components, outcomes, and challenges.
• To compare intervention effects between Chinese and non-Chinese populations to inform localized strategies in China.

Main Methods:

• A JBI-guided scoping review using Arksey and O'Malley's framework.
• Searched six major databases (PubMed, Cochrane, Embase, Web of Science, CINAHL, PsycInfo) from inception to March 2025.
• Included 18 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) after screening 2,968 articles.

Main Results:

• Identified four core components: physical exercise, cognitive training, nutrition, and cardiovascular risk management.
• Interventions improved cognitive function, quality of life, and reduced dementia risk, but results were inconsistent.
• Chinese studies showed higher adherence (80%) due to family involvement, despite slightly lower cognitive gains compared to Western studies.

Conclusions:

• Multidomain interventions effectively address dementia risk factors but require optimization for diverse populations.
• Heterogeneity in models and implementation barriers necessitate culturally adaptive strategies for scalability.
• Future research should focus on tailored interventions and multidimensional assessments for Chinese populations.