Digital cognitive rehabilitation platforms for older adults in Portugal: a systematic review

Portugal’s demographic ageing calls for effective strategies to address mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and Alzheimer’s Disease (AD). However, fragmented evidence on digital tools limits their clinical application. This review aimed to map the landscape of validated digital cognitive rehabilitation platforms in Portugal for older adults with MCI and AD and to analyze their effectiveness, usability, and implementation barriers. Following PRISMA 2020 guidelines, seven studies published between 2015 and 2025 were identified from PubMed, Scopus, and ScienceDirect, complemented by manual searches and platform website analysis. Methodological quality, assessed using the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) tools, ranged from 69% to 100%. The included studies evaluated platforms such as the Systemic Lisbon Battery (SLB), Digi&Mind, NeuroVRehab.PT, and the Fit4Alz project. Findings indicate improvements in global cognition, executive functioning, and attention. Multimodal interventions combining digital cognitive training and physical exercise produced more consistent cognitive benefits than isolated approaches. Despite initially low digital literacy among older adults, high adherence and motivation were reported, supported by gamification, user-centred design, and cultural adaptation. Although Portuguese digital platforms show strong potential for cognitive rehabilitation, the evidence base is constrained by methodological heterogeneity, small sample sizes, and short intervention durations. Future research should prioritize long-term follow-up and remote monitoring through telerehabilitation.