Individually modifiable risk factors to ameliorate cognitive aging: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Lehert et al., 2015 | Climacteric | Systematic Review

Citation

Lehert P, Villaseca P, ... Henderson V W. Individually modifiable risk factors to ameliorate cognitive aging: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Climacteric. 2015-Oct;18(5):678-89. doi:10.3109/13697137.2015.1078106

Abstract

A number of health and lifestyle factors are thought to contribute to cognitive decline associated with age but cannot be easily modified by the individual patient. We identified 12 individually modifiable interventions that can be implemented during midlife or later with the potential to ameliorate cognitive aging. For ten of these, we used PubMed databases for a systematic review of long-duration (at least 6 months), randomized, controlled trials in midlife and older adults without dementia or mild cognitive impairment with objective measures of neuropsychological performance. Using network meta-analysis, we performed a quantitative synthesis for global cognition (primary outcome) and episodic memory (secondary outcome). Of 1038 publications identified by our search strategy, 24 eligible trials were included in the network meta-analysis. Results suggested that the Mediterranean diet supplemented by olive oil and tai chi exercise may improve global cognition, and the Mediterranean diet plus olive oil and soy isoflavone supplements may improve memory. Effect sizes were no more than small (standardized mean differences 0.11-0.22). Cognitive training may have cognitive benefit as well. Most individually modifiable risk factors have not yet been adequately studied. We conclude that some interventions that can be self-initiated by healthy midlife and older adults may ameliorate cognitive aging.

Key Findings

We conclude that some interventions that can be self-initiated by healthy midlife and older adults may ameliorate cognitive aging.

Outcomes Measured

Requires manual extraction

Population

Field	Value
Population	See abstract
Sample Size	See abstract
Age Range	See abstract
Condition	cognitive

MeSH Terms

Aged
Cognition Disorders
Cognitive Aging
Diet, Mediterranean
Dietary Supplements
Ginkgo biloba
Humans
Learning
Memory, Episodic
Middle Aged
Olive Oil
Risk Factors
Soy Foods
Tai Ji

Evidence Classification

Level: Systematic Review
Publication Types: Journal Article, Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural, Systematic Review, Network Meta-Analysis
Vertical: ginkgo

Provenance

PMID: 26361790
DOI: 10.3109/13697137.2015.1078106
PMCID: PMC5199766
Verified: 2026-04-09 via PubMed E-utilities API

Source extracted via PubMed E-utilities API on 2026-04-09