Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
Meta-Analysis
. 2025 Mar 27;25(1):1158.
doi: 10.1186/s12889-025-22229-x.

A meta-analysis of behaviour change techniques in social interventions targeting improved cognitive function in older adults

Joyce Siette  1 , Victoria Chong  2 , Suraj Samtani  3 , Celia B Harris  2 , Genevieve Z Steiner-Lim  4 , Freya MacMillan  5
Affiliations
Meta-Analysis

A meta-analysis of behaviour change techniques in social interventions targeting improved cognitive function in older adults

Joyce Siette et al. BMC Public Health. .

Abstract

Background: Limited social networks in older adults are linked with increased dementia risk. However, there is a lack of knowledge on whether socially-based behavioural interventions (i.e., programs designed to increase individual's social opportunities, engagement or networks) can improve cognitive function, as well as the role of applied behaviour change techniques (BCTs) in effective interventions. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to (i) quantify the effectiveness of social-based behavioural interventions in improving cognition in older adults, and (ii) identify which BCTs increase social activity behaviour of older adults.

Methods: Six electronic databases were searched with restrictions for age (>65 years) and English language from inception to July 2023 (PROSPERO:CRD42021283382) for articles reporting social-based behavioural randomised controlled trials and using a measured outcome of cognitive function. Behaviour change techniques were mapped to the BCT V1 model and risk of bias was assessed. Pooled effect sizes from eligible studies were synthesised using RevMan.

Results: We identified 9528 records and included 15 studies (N=1785 participants). Meta-analyses showed that social-based interventions had a medium effect on global cognition (d=0.80, 95% CI 0.58 to 1.02, p<0.01), but not executive function. The most frequently used intervention components were social-based communication (e.g., chatting, boosting social engagement), group arts-based tasks (e.g., knitting, music, craft) and guided reminiscence. The BCT demonstration of behaviour predicted significant cognitive effects and explained 94.6% of inter-study variation.

Discussion: Findings carry implications for developing comprehensive strategies to promote social initiatives supporting cognitive health, particularly in addressing the challenges faced by older adults.

Keywords: Behaviour change; Cognition; Dementia; Older adults; Social capital.

PubMed Disclaimer

Conflict of interest statement

Declarations. Ethics approval and consent to participate: Not applicable. Consent for publication: Not applicable. Competing interests: The authors declare no competing interests.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
PRISMA diagram
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Forest plot of social interventions and effects on global cognition
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Forest plot of social interventions and effects on executive function
Fig. 4
Fig. 4
Risk of bias summary
See this image and copyright information in PMC

Similar articles

See all similar articles

Cited by

References

    1. Lang JJ, Alam S, Cahill LE, Drucker AM, Gotay C, Kayibanda JF, et al. Global Burden of Disease Study trends for Canada from 1990 to 2016. Can Med Assoc J. 2018;190(44):E1296–304. 10.1503/cmaj.180698. - PMC - PubMed
    1. Reher D, Requena M. Living Alone in Later Life: A Global Perspective. Popul Dev Rev. 2018;44(3):427–54. 10.1111/padr.12149.
    1. Ibrahim R, Abolfathi Momtaz Y, Hamid TA. Social isolation in older Malaysians: prevalence and risk factors. Psychogeriatrics. 2013;3(1479–8301):71–9. 10.1111/psyg.12000. - PubMed
    1. Victor CR, Scambler SJ, Bowling ANN, Bond J. The prevalence of, and risk factors for, loneliness in later life: a survey of older people in Great Britain. Ageing Soc. 2005;25(6):357–75. 10.1017/S0144686X04003332.
    1. Grenade L, Boldy D. Social isolation and loneliness among older people: issues and future challenges in community and residential settings. Aust Health Rev. 2008;32(3):468–78. 10.1071/ah080468. - PubMed

LinkOut - more resources