Conventional versus Digital Cognitive Remediation Therapy: Meta- Analysis in People with Mild Cognitive Impairment and Dementia

This meta-analysis compared the effectiveness of conventional cognitive remediation therapy (CRT) and digital CRT (DCRT) for improving cognitive function in individuals with mild cognitive impairment or dementia. Thirteen (quasi-)randomized controlled trials involving 633 participants were included. Pairwise meta-analyses showed significant improvements in Mini-Mental State Examination scores for both CRT (g = 0.60, 95% CI 0.32–0.87) and DCRT (g = 0.44, 95% CI 0.16–0.73) compared with active control conditions. Network meta-analysis confirmed that both modalities outperformed control groups, with no significant difference between CRT and DCRT (g = −0.08, 95% CI −0.45–0.29). These findings indicate that digital delivery achieves cognitive benefits comparable to conventional therapist-led approaches. While both formats produce moderate cognitive gains, the long-term and functional impacts remain uncertain. DCRT offers a scalable, accessible intervention, particularly valuable in settings with limited clinical resources.