Effectiveness of vitamin-B supplements on cognition in older adults: A meta-analysis

source extracted confidence: high 2026-04-09
#humans #aged #folic-acid #vitamin-b-12 #dementia

Effectiveness of vitamin-B supplements on cognition in older adults: A meta-analysis

Chang et al., 2023 | Geriatr Nurs | Meta Analysis

Citation

Chang Binbin, Wang Zhang, ... Sun Diwu. Effectiveness of vitamin-B supplements on cognition in older adults: A meta-analysis. Geriatr Nurs. 2023;51:143-149. doi:10.1016/j.gerinurse.2023.02.019

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: We aimed to investigate the efficacy of B-vitamin and folic acid supplementation in slowing down cognitive function decline among older adults. METHODS: We searched databases for trials comparing B-vitamin and folate supplementation versus placebo in older adults identified with or without impaired cognition. RESULTS: 23 articles were eligible and included in this meta-analysis. The mean difference (MD) in homocysteine levels was significant between the compared groups (MD:-4.52; 95%CI:-5.41 to 3.63, P < 0.001). However, the difference in the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) was non-significant between the compared groups with or without cognitive impairment (MD:0.19; 95%CI: -0.148 to 0.531, P = 0.27), and (MD:0.04; 95%CI:-0.1 to 0.18, P = 0.59), respectively. The difference in Clinical Dementia Rating-sum of box (CDR-SOB) scores was non-significant (MD:-0.16; 95%CI:-0.49 to 0.18; P = 0.36). CONCLUSIONS: B-vitamin and folate supplementations significantly reduced homocysteine levels. However, it failed to provide significant benefits over placebo in preventing or slowing the decline in cognitive function.

Key Findings

23 articles were eligible and included in this meta-analysis. The mean difference (MD) in homocysteine levels was significant between the compared groups (MD:-4.52; 95%CI:-5.41 to 3.63, P < 0.001). However, the difference in the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) was non-significant between the compared groups with or without cognitive impairment (MD:0.19; 95%CI: -0.148 to 0.531, P = 0.27), and (MD:0.04; 95%CI:-0.1 to 0.18, P = 0.59), respectively. The difference in Clinical Dementia Rating-su

Outcomes Measured

  • Requires manual extraction

Population

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

MeSH Terms

  • Humans
  • Aged
  • Folic Acid
  • Vitamin B 12
  • Dementia
  • Cognition Disorders
  • Vitamin B Complex
  • Dietary Supplements
  • Cognition
  • Homocysteine

Evidence Classification

  • Level: Meta Analysis
  • Publication Types: Meta-Analysis, Journal Article
  • Vertical: folate

Provenance

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