Social connections as determinants of cognitive health and as targets for social interventions in persons with or at risk of Alzheimer’s disease and related disorders: a scoping review

作者：Pallavi Joshi, Kyle Hendrie, Dylan J. Jester, Dhweeja Dasarathy, Helen Lavretsky, Benson S. Ku, Heather C. Leutwyler, John Blake Torous, Dilip V. Jeste, Rajesh R. Tampi · 发表于：International Psychogeriatrics · 年份：2023 · DOI：10.1017/s1041610223000923 · 被引用次数：64 · 研究领域：Dementia and Cognitive Impairment Research、Health disparities and outcomes、Technology Use by Older Adults

BACKGROUND: Social connections have a significant impact on health across age groups, including older adults. Loneliness and social isolation are known risk factors for Alzheimer's disease and related dementias (ADRD). Yet, we did not find a review focused on meta-analyses and systematic reviews of studies that had examined associations of social connections with cognitive decline and trials of technology-based and other social interventions to enhance social connections in people with ADRD. STUDY DESIGN: We conducted a scoping review of 11 meta-analyses and systematic reviews of social connections as possible determinants of cognitive decline in older adults with or at risk of developing ADRD. We also examined eight systematic reviews of technology-based and other social interventions in persons with ADRD. STUDY RESULTS: The strongest evidence for an association of social connections with lower risk of cognitive decline was related to social engagement and social activities. There was also evidence linking social network size to cognitive function or cognitive decline, but it was not consistently significant. A number of, though not all, studies reported a significant association of marital status with risk of ADRD. Surprisingly, evidence showing that social support reduces the risk of ADRD was weak. To varying degrees, technology-based and other social interventions designed to reduce loneliness in people with ADRD improved social connections and activities as well as quali...