What are the effects of cognitive training for people with mild to moderate dementia? A Cochrane Review summary with commentary

The aim of this commentary is to discuss in a rehabilitation perspective the published Cochrane Review “Cognitive training for people with mild to moderate dementia” by Bahar-Fuchs, A., Martyr, A., Goh, A., Sabates, J. & Clare, L., under the direct supervision of the Cochrane Rehabilitation group. This Cochrane Corner is produced in agreement with the Australian Occupational Therapy Journal by Cochrane Rehabilitation. Dementia is a leading cause of disability in older people in Australia and worldwide. Consequences of dementia include cognitive decline as well as changes in mood, communication and physical function. There is currently no cure for dementia and the benefits of pharmacological treatments (acetylcholinesterase inhibitors) are limited. Although research for pharmacological treatments continues, people with dementia are encouraged to participate in non‐pharmacological treatments that have been shown to be beneficial. Cognitive training, cognitive stimulation and cognitive rehabilitation approaches have been of interest and have evolved as new technologies have meant that cognitive training can be delivered more easily. However, it is important to determine whether cognitive training leads to beneficial outcomes for people with dementia and to understand which outcomes may be affected.