Cognitive transfer and durability of computerised cognitive training in older adults with mild cognitive impairment: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials
- 1Department of Physical Education, Chongqing Electric Power College , ,
- 2College of Education, Soonchunhyang University , ,
- 3School of Physical Education, China University of Mining and Technology , ,
Abstract
Background
Computerised cognitive training (CCT) may improve cognition in mild cognitive impairment (MCI), but whether gains transfer beyond trained processes and persist after training cessation remains uncertain. We examined immediate and sustained cognitive near transfer, cognitive far transfer, and functional far transfer.Methods
Seven databases were searched from inception to 1 July 2026. Randomised controlled trials comparing CCT with eligible controls and reporting transfer outcomes were included. Outcomes within 4 weeks after training were classified as immediate and those at least 12 weeks after cessation as sustained. Multiple eligible outcomes from the same trial were aggregated to one trial-level estimate. Random-effects models used restricted maximum likelihood and modified Knapp-Hartung inference. RoB 2 and GRADE assessed risk of bias and certainty.Results
Eleven reports from eight independent trials (722 randomised participants) were included; no trial was at overall low risk of bias. Immediate cognitive near transfer was small and imprecise (6 trials, N = 376; Hedges g = 0.14, 95% CI - 0.23 to 0.50; very low certainty). Immediate cognitive far transfer was also uncertain (8 trials, N = 586; g = 0.23, 95% CI - 0.35 to 0.81; very low certainty) and strongly influenced by Wu et al.; excluding this trial yielded g = 0.00 (95% CI - 0.26 to 0.25). Sustained cognitive near transfer (4 trials, N = 287; g = -0.07, 95% CI - 0.31 to 0.18) and sustained cognitive far transfer (5 trials, N = 397; g = 0.02, 95% CI - 0.26 to 0.29) were close to the null but based on few trials. Functional far-transfer evidence was low-certainty and limited.Conclusion
The evidence base is small and methodologically limited, and transfer classification requires reviewer judgement. Current evidence does not establish convincing durable transfer effects beyond trained processes. Larger, rigorous trials with validated functional outcomes and longer follow-up are needed.Systematic review registration
https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/, identifier CRD420261463612.
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BibTeX
@article{luo2026cognitive,
title = {{Cognitive transfer and durability of computerised cognitive training in older adults with mild cognitive impairment: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials}},
author = {Hao Luo and Lin Deng and Lingyun Long and Wenjia Chen and Jiayi Yao and Yong Liu},
journal = {Frontiers in aging neuroscience},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.3389/fnagi.2026.1952783},
url = {https://europepmc.org/article/PMC/PMC13716727},
note = {CC BY},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Cognitive transfer and durability of computerised cognitive training in older adults with mild cognitive impairment: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials
AU - Hao Luo
AU - Lin Deng
AU - Lingyun Long
AU - Wenjia Chen
AU - Jiayi Yao
AU - Yong Liu
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/15
JO - Frontiers in aging neuroscience
DO - 10.3389/fnagi.2026.1952783
UR - https://europepmc.org/article/PMC/PMC13716727
AB - Background Computerised cognitive training (CCT) may improve cognition in mild cognitive impairment (MCI), but whether gains transfer beyond trained processes and persist after training cessation remains uncertain. We examined immediate and sustained cognitive near transfer, cognitive far transfer, and functional far transfer.Methods Seven databases were searched from inception to 1 July 2026. Randomised controlled trials comparing CCT with eligible controls and reporting transfer outcomes were included. Outcomes within 4 weeks after training were classified as immediate and those at least 12 weeks after cessation as sustained. Multiple eligible outcomes from the same trial were aggregated to one trial-level estimate. Random-effects models used restricted maximum likelihood and modified Knapp-Hartung inference. RoB 2 and GRADE assessed risk of bias and certainty.Results Eleven reports from eight independent trials (722 randomised participants) were included; no trial was at overall low risk of bias. Immediate cognitive near transfer was small and imprecise (6 trials, N = 376; Hedges g = 0.14, 95% CI - 0.23 to 0.50; very low certainty). Immediate cognitive far transfer was also uncertain (8 trials, N = 586; g = 0.23, 95% CI - 0.35 to 0.81; very low certainty) and strongly influenced by Wu et al.; excluding this trial yielded g = 0.00 (95% CI - 0.26 to 0.25). Sustained cognitive near transfer (4 trials, N = 287; g = -0.07, 95% CI - 0.31 to 0.18) and sustained cognitive far transfer (5 trials, N = 397; g = 0.02, 95% CI - 0.26 to 0.29) were close to the null but based on few trials. Functional far-transfer evidence was low-certainty and limited.Conclusion The evidence base is small and methodologically limited, and transfer classification requires reviewer judgement. Current evidence does not establish convincing durable transfer effects beyond trained processes. Larger, rigorous trials with validated functional outcomes and longer follow-up are needed.Systematic review registration https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/, identifier CRD420261463612.
SN - 1663-4365
ER -