Effectiveness of digital health interventions in improving mental health of older adults with mild cognitive impairment: A systematic review and meta-analysis protocol

Background Mental health issues are highly prevalent in older adults with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Digital Health Interventions (DHIs) for individuals with MCI have proven effective in improving cognitive function, but their impact on mental health has received less attention. Objective Reporting a protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate the effectiveness of DHIs for older adults with MCI, focusing on mental health outcomes both overall and within homogeneous subgroups. Methods A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials will be conducted, with searches performed in the Cochrane Library, PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, CINAHL, CNKI, and WanFang date from inception to March 2024. Mental health outcomes are the primary outcome. Risk of bias will be assessed with the Cochrane Collaboration tool, and evidence quality will be evaluated with Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation. If sufficient studies are available, subgroup analysis will assess variations based on population and intervention characteristics, including types and modalities of DHIs, intervention settings, session frequency, and duration, focusing on specific mental health outcomes and both short- and long-term effects. Additionally, sensitivity analysis and meta-regression analysis will identify sources of other potential heterogeneity. Conclusion The protocol will guide a systematic review and meta-analysis to determine the effectiveness of DHIs in improving mental health of older adults with MCI. This effort will enhance understanding and optimization of DHIs, vital for reducing mental health disparities and improving psychotherapy access for older adults with MCI. PROSPERO registration number CRD42024522342