Effectiveness of non-pharmaceutical interventions on cognitive function among non-demented African American and Latino older adults in the USA: A scoping review

Abstract Objective African Americans and Latinos/Hispanics have a higher prevalence of dementia compared to non-Latino Whites. This scoping review aims to synthesize non-pharmaceutical interventions to delay or slow age-related cognitive decline among cognitively healthy African American and Latino older adults.Design A literature search was performed in PubMed, CINAHL, PsycINFO and Web of Science between January 2000 – May 2019. Relevant cited references and grey literature were also reviewed. Four independent reviewers evaluated 1,181 abstracts, and full-article screening was subsequently performed for 145 articles. The scoping review consisted of eight studies, which were evaluated according to peer-reviewed original manuscript, non-pharmaceutical intervention, cognitive function as an outcome, separate reporting of results for African American and Latino individuals, minimum age of 40, and conducted in the United States. A total of 8 studies were considered eligible and were analyzed in the present scoping review.Results Eight studies were identified. Four studies focused on African Americans and four focused on Latino individuals. Through the analysis, results indicated cognitive training-focused interventions were effective in improving memory, executive function, reasoning, visuospatial, psychological function, and speed among African Americans. Exercise interventions were effective in improving cognition among Latino individuals.Conclusion This scoping review identified effective non-pharmaceutical interventions among African American and Latino individuals. Effective interventions focused on cognitive training alone for African Americans and exercise combined with group educational sessions for Latino individuals. Future research should explore developing culturally appropriate non-pharmaceutical interventions to reduce disparities and to enhance cognition among older African American and Latino individuals.