Medication isn't always the solution when it comes to improving cognitive performance in people with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and perhaps even preventing dementia. Researchers from Hong Kong have compiled a recent review from 2025 outlining which combined, non-medication therapies can be beneficial.
Another study by an international research group investigated to what extent an intensive lifestyle change can positively influence cognitive performance. The researchers from Hong Kong evaluated 45 studies from 18 countries with a total of 4705 participants. The individual studies were published between 2014 and 2024 and included various combinations of physical training, such as exercise and sports, cognitive training such as memory exercises, nutritional measures, psychosocial interventions such as conversations, social activities, and electrical stimulation.
Successful combinations
The most common multimodal non-pharmacological therapy combined physical training and cognitive training. Multimodal means that several therapeutic approaches are used simultaneously. These show greater improvements in cognitive areas such as attention, memory performance, information processing speed, and verbal fluency compared to just a single therapeutic measure. „More recently, various other types of interventions such as nutritional measures, psychosocial interventions, social interventions, and brain stimulation have been integrated into multimodal interventions,“ the study states.
Assistive Technologies
It was also found that multimodal therapies are better accepted – and that the use of supportive technologies is important: „Technology was instrumental in the implementation of these interventions and the improvement of the effects of physical and cognitive training,“ the researchers wrote.
However, in their study, the scientists pointed out that the cost-effectiveness of the treatment measures was not evaluated in any of the analyzed studies.
To change one's current lifestyle
An international study group of researchers from the USA, Sweden, Great Britain, and Finland reached new findings. According to the researchers, the study is the first of its kind to investigate whether intensive lifestyle changes can help people who already have mild cognitive impairment (MCI) or early-stage Alzheimer's dementia (AD). The study, which lasted 20 weeks, included 51 people with MCI and early-stage Alzheimer's dementia, aged between 45 and 90 years.
The research finding offers hope. „Comprehensive lifestyle changes can significantly improve cognition and function in many patients with MCI or early-stage dementia due to Alzheimer's dementia after 20 weeks,“ the study summarizes. In contrast, patients assigned to a control group receiving usual care showed a „general deterioration“ in all areas based on several different tests.
In addition, a specific biomarker increased in the intervention group, while it decreased in the control group. „This could mean that harmful amyloid proteins were better removed from the brain,“ the researchers wrote. Other biomarkers such as blood sugar, insulin, and cholesterol, as well as the microbiome (gut flora), also improved in the intervention group.
Bundled up the whole package
Lifestyle modification strategies included a whole-food, minimally processed plant-based diet low in unhealthy fats and refined carbohydrates and sweeteners with selected supplements along with moderate exercise, stress management techniques, and support groups.
It was important to the researchers to draw attention to a specific limitation. Because only 51 patients participated in the study, the generalizability of the study results is limited.
Tip for practice: To best promote the health of people with MCI, attention should be paid to daily physical activity and a conscious relaxation period. Furthermore, lifestyle factors in the area of nutrition should be considered: A predominantly plant-based diet and the avoidance of sugar, trans fats, and highly processed foods are recommended. Additionally, ensure that social contacts are maintained. According to the present studies, social interaction has proven to be a significant lifestyle factor with a positive influence.
Here are the studies:
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