Insights from Complex Systems Approaches on Adaptability in Aging and Chronic Diseases: A Meta-Narrative Review - Pre-Print

This meta-narrative review elucidates the heterogeneity in defining and evaluating adaptability through complex systems approaches in aging and chronic diseases, highlighting a gap between theoretical constructs and empirical evidence. Analyzing 248 studies, we discern that adaptability's link to health outcomes, particularly in aging and chronic conditions, remains largely theoretical with limited direct evidence. Our findings stress the urgent need for standardizing adaptability definitions, refining measurement tools, and generating data on integrated approaches to foster a comprehensive health paradigm centered on adaptability. This work underpins the evolution of a new health concept, urging for a unified framework to navigate the complexity of adaptability in translational medicine.