Effectiveness of psychosocial interventions among older adults with mild cognitive impairment: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Objectives This review aimed to examine available evidence concerning the effectiveness of psychosocial interventions in improving memory, executive function, depression and activities of daily living (ADL) in older adults with MCI. Methods Eight electronic databases were used to conduct a comprehensive literature search for published and unpublished studies. A primary outcome was cognitive function, including memory and executive function. Secondary outcomes were depression and ADL. Two researchers independently appraised quality of included studies and extracted data. Meta-analysis, heterogeneity test, subgroup analysis and sensitivity analyses were performed. Results Ten studies (out of 1,265 records) were included in this review. Psychosocial interventions contributed to a significant improvement in memory, not executive function, depression and ADL. Subgroup analyses suggested that interventions with a longer duration, more therapeutic sessions, and individual format had larger effect sizes. Strategies found to enhance memory entailed behavior modification and activation, memory training, visual imagery, storytelling, memory aids, journaling, and exercise. Conclusion Healthcare providers may offer psychosocial interventions to client with MCI in clinical settings. Higher quality trials should be conducted to increase solid evidence in this domain.