The Effects of Cognitive Training in the Long Term: a Systematic Review of the Literature

OBJECTIVE In this literature review, long term cognitive training’s effect is assessed. The issue is investigated by also considering additional training sessions (also called booster sessions) and their impact on the retention of after-training benefits. The aim is achieved by analyzing four variables: involved population, training domains, effect transferability, and training duration. METHODS In compliance with the PRISMA statement, a search was conducted in the following database: Scopus, PubMed, WoS, and CINAHL. RESULTS Out of the 1063 articles we identified initially, 47 studies were eligible.The studies showed that training can maintain cognitive functioning in healthy people or people with MCI, especially for what concerns the six months after the intervention. In people with dementia, the results were controversial. Regarding the booster training sessions, when they were offered to either healthy people or people with MCI, they both maintained or increased training benefits. In contrast, people with dementia appeared to benefit from booster sessions in one study only. It also emerged that single and multi-domain training improved cognitive functioning in either healthy people or people with MCI. In contrast, only multi-domain training was effective in people with dementia. Cognitive training showed both direct and far transfer effects. CONCLUSIONS Although cognitive training benefits appear to persist, especially when working with healthy people or people with MCI, future studies should focus more on the benefits carried by booster sessions. Moreover, once the analysis of these outcomes is cross-referenced with individual characteristics and preferences, it will specify the long-term benefits factors.