Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40710911›Full record

ArticleNeurology international2025

Effectiveness of a Cognitive Stimulation Program in Older Adults with Mild Neurocognitive Disorder: Insights from fNIRS Analysis in a Randomized Controlled Trial.

Susana I Justo-Henriques, Rosa C G Silva, Janessa O Carvalho, João L A Apóstolo, Débora Nogueira, Telmo A S Pereira

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Neurology international, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

6 authors.

Susana I Justo-HenriquesDepartment of Education, Social and Behavioral Sciences, Polytechnic University of Beja, 7800-295 Beja, Portugal.ORCID 0000-0002-8872-4307
Rosa C G SilvaRISE-Health, Nursing School of Porto (ESEP), 4200-319 Porto, Portugal.ORCID 0000-0002-3947-7098
Janessa O CarvalhoDepartment of Psychology, Bridgewater State University, Bridgewater, MA 02325, USA.
João L A ApóstoloHealth Sciences Research Unit: Nursing (UICISA: E), Nursing School of Coimbra, 3004-011 Coimbra, Portugal.ORCID 0000-0002-3050-4264
Débora NogueiraCoimbra Health School, Polytechnic University of Coimbra, Rua da Misericórdia, Lagar dos Cortiços, S. Martinho do Bispo, 3045-093 Coimbra, Portugal.ORCID 0009-0002-5015-6567
Telmo A S PereiraCoimbra Health School, Polytechnic University of Coimbra, Rua da Misericórdia, Lagar dos Cortiços, S. Martinho do Bispo, 3045-093 Coimbra, Portugal.ORCID 0000-0001-9119-7774

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

BACKGROUND/

objectivesNeurocognitive disorders (NCDs) encompass a spectrum of conditions that significantly impact cognitive domains, including attention, memory, and language. Mild NCD, increasingly prevalent with aging, represents an early stage of these disorders, characterized by cognitive deficits that do not interfere with daily functioning. Non-pharmacological therapies, especially cognitive stimulation, are widely recommended to preserve cognitive function of older adults. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a 12-week individual cognitive stimulation (iCS) program on cognitive performance, mood, and prefrontal cortex activation in older adults with mild NCD using a single-blind, randomized, parallel two-arm RCT.

methodsA sample of 36 older adults were selected from a central region of Portugal. The intervention group (

resultsThe intervention group showed a significant improvement in global cognition and executive functions, and reduced depressive symptomatology compared to the control group. fNIRS data revealed enhanced activation and functional efficiency in the lateral prefrontal cortex following the iCS program. Adherence and degree of collaboration to the intervention were very high.

conclusionsThese findings suggest that iCS is an effective approach to improving cognitive function and mood in mildly cognitively impaired older adults.

Indexed as

cognitive functioncognitive stimulation therapydepressive symptomsexecutive functionfNIRSmild cognitive impairmentnon-pharmacological interventionsolder adultsprefrontal cortex

Identifiers

PMID40710911
PMCPMC12298109

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.