Online memory training intervention for early-stage dementia: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Objectives To evaluate the effectiveness of online memory training interventions in improving memory of patients diagnosed with early-stage dementia. The secondary outcomes comprised cognitive and psychological outcomes. Design This review was conducted for accordance to the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions. Data source A comprehensive search from six electronic databases: PubMed, Embassy, The Cochrane Library, The Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, Scopus and Web of Science was conducted (2000-2020). Review methods The populations included in this review comprised adults who had been clinically diagnosed with early-stage dementia and involved in online memory training interventions. Two reviewers appraised the risks of bias through the Cochrane Collaboration's tool and performed the meta-analysis, including the assessment of heterogeneity. Results Eleven randomized controlled trials retrieved from six databases demonstrated low to moderate levels of quality of evidence according to the GRADE approach. The meta-analysis revealed that online memory training interventions have demonstrated a moderate effect size in improving memory outcomes (d = 0.57; 95% confidence interval 0.28-0.85; p = 0.0001). Additionally, such interventions have shown improvements in secondary outcomes of cognition and psychological with small to medium effects. Duration of each online memory training session and its frequencies did not affect the memory outcome. As opposed to the conventional face-to-face interventions conducted for a group, it is more effective to be conducted for an individual setting. Conclusions Online memory training intervention was effective in improving the memory for adults with dementia. Impact Memory interventions have the prospect of reducing everyday problems caused by lapses in memory and improving well-being. With factors such as limited resources and restriction of social gathering due to pandemic, this review could offer relevant information for clinical decision-makers when planning online memory training interventions for adults with dementia.