A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Combined Cognitive and Physical Interventions on Cognition Function in Frail Older Adults
- Journal
- Journal of the American Medical Directors Association (Q1)
- Published
- 21 July 2026
- Study design
- Systematic review / meta-analysis of RCTs
- Evidence level
- Level 1, High (CEBM 1a)
- Authors
- Zhong Li, Rixin Qin, Jiaxin Lv, Beibei Miao, Ling Gong, Changping Song, et al.
- PMID
- 42480329
- DOI
- 10.1016/j.jamda.2026.106378
Why clinicians should know about it
- Picked for Geriatrics and Gerontology (top studies of the week, 26 July 2026).
- Picked for Health Policy (top studies of the week, 26 July 2026).
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: To assess the effectiveness and implementation of a combined physical and cognitive intervention in improving global cognitive function, frailty, gait speed, and depression in frail older adults. METHODS: A systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines and registered in PROSPERO (CRD420251133290). The study conducted a literature search in 9 electronic databases of included studies from inception to July 25, 2025. Only randomized controlled trials that incorporated cognitive and physical components targeted to frail older adults were eligible. Two researchers independently conducted document retrieval, study selection, data extraction, and methodological quality evaluation. RESULTS: Eleven randomized controlled trials with a total of 989 participants were included, and meta-analyses showed that combined physical and cognitive intervention for frail older adults significantly improved global cognitive function (standardized mean difference [SMD], 1.05; 95% CI, 0.54-1.56; P < .001), reduce the level of frailty (SMD, -1.03; 95% CI, -1.54 to -0.52; P < .001), and improve gait speed (SMD, 1.12; 95% CI, 0.47-1.78; P = .0008). Combined intervention did not significantly improve depressive symptoms (SMD, -0.36; 95% CI, -1.49 to 0.76; P = .53). CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: Combined interventions for frail older adults can be effective in improving global cognitive function, delaying frailty progression, and more rigorous study designs and long-term follow-up are needed in the future to assess the effectiveness of combined interventions and to provide guidance on the optimal intervention strategies to improve cognitive function in frail older adults.
Abstract as published, via PubMed.
For healthcare professionals. The summary is generated by AI from the published abstract, and the evidence level is assigned automatically from the study design on the Oxford CEBM hierarchy. Neither is medical advice. Read the full paper before changing practice.