Bibliometric analysis in Geroscience maps 22-year evolution of dual-task paradigms in cognitive aging
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Event tier C · Tier ceiling 74 · LONGIFI_SIGNAL_V1
Quick take
A bibliometric analysis of 1,347 studies highlights a technological shift in dual-task paradigms toward AI-driven, virtual reality-integrated assessments, identifying dual-task cost as a potential digital biomarker for early cognitive decline.
What happened
Researchers analyzed 1,347 articles from the Web of Science Core Collection spanning January 2003 to February 15, 2025, to map the 22-year evolutionary landscape of dual-task (DT) paradigm research in cognitive aging.
The study identified a three-phase transition: a gait-focused behavioral assessment phase (2003-2012), a neuroimaging-focused phase (2013-2018), and a current phase focused on AI-driven, ecologically valid approaches integrating virtual reality and multimodal sensing (2019-2025).
The analysis highlighted dual-task cost as a potential candidate digital biomarker linked to neural alterations and cognitive decline, complementary to traditional cognitive assessments.
While DT training showed potential to improve functional outcomes and reduce fall risk, researchers reported significant heterogeneity in treatment effects, highlighting a need for personalized intervention strategies.
Why it matters
The integration of motor and cognitive assessments addresses an unmet need for sensitive, non-invasive, and ecologically valid tools to detect early dementia and cognitive decline.
Establishing dual-task cost as a digital phenotype could support the development of objective, continuous-monitoring biomarkers for neurodegenerative aging.
The transition toward precision gerontology requires addressing current bottlenecks, specifically the lack of standardized protocols and prospective validation of DT-derived phenotypes.
Market impact
The shift toward multimodal sensing and virtual reality in DT research suggests a growing role for digital health and neuro-diagnostic technology developers in the longevity sector.
The identified heterogeneity in intervention outcomes indicates that generic, non-personalized cognitive-motor training platforms may face high clinical hurdles, favoring developers of targeted, patient-specific protocols.
What comes next
The development of standardized protocols and subsequent prospective clinical trials to validate dual-task-derived digital phenotypes before clinical deployment.
Sources
- NCBIPUBMED:LONGEVITY_RESEARCH