How do you target cognitive training? Bridging the gap between standard and technological rehabilitation of cognitive domains

Demographic forecasts suggest an increase of up to 3.1 billion people aged over 60 by the year 2100 (United Nations, 2017). Consequently, age-related issues—in particular cognitive decline—are increasing in frequency and significance. Due to the lack of effective drug therapies to cure cognitive disorders, addressing the socio-economic effects and risk factors of dementia-related disorders is an urgent and threatening global imperative (Jessen et al., 2023; Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures, 2024). The matter is further complicated by the fact that cognitive disorders can have different etiologies, severities, progressions and symptoms (Pérez Palmer et al., 2022). For instance, there are cases like Subjective Cognitive Decline (SCD)—that is a subclinical cognitive impairment—in which the symptoms could serve as a canary in a coal mine giving an early warning of future dementia (Röhr et al., 2020; Ribaldi et al., 2022). Thus, promoting early diagnosis and detection, as well as preventive, supportive and persistent lifestyle treatments is crucial to maximize results in counteracting and slowing cognitive decline (United Nations, 2017; United Nations, Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Population Division, 2024; Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures, 2024).