The Effects of Cognitive Interventions in Individuals With Chronic Respiratory Diseases: A Systematic Review

Purpose: To evaluate the effects of cognitive interventions on cognitive function, health-related quality of life (HRQoL), self-management, physical activity, physical function, and psychosocial outcomes among individuals with chronic respiratory diseases (CRDs). Method: The methods adhered to the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Review of Interventions for data analysis and synthesis guidelines. Additionally, the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines were followed for the reporting of data. Database searches were conducted from inception to May 2023 across Medline, Embase, Emcare, PsycINFO, Scopus, and CINAHL. Included studies evaluated the effects of cognitive training, cognitive behavioural therapy, and transcranial brain stimulation in adults with CRDs. Studies were evaluated using the Cochrane Risk of Bias 2 tool, Risk of Bias in Non-Randomized Studies of Interventions, and Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation. Results: Five eligible studies with 347 participants were included and showed very low-quality evidence of inconsistent improvements in cognition and no difference between groups for HRQoL and self-management; low evidence for no difference between groups in physical function; moderate evidence for no difference between groups in physical activity and psychosocial outcomes. Conclusions: The effects of cognitive interventions on cognitive function in people with CRDs are inconclusive.