Systematic review on declining executive functions in older adults

The objective of the present study was to systematically review the latest research articles on executive functions of the elderly that have been published over the last 15 years to understand if there is any pattern of decline in Executive functions and their components. The review used data sources from Google Scholar, MEDLINE, Web of Science, APA PsycNET with keywords like declining executive functions, inhibitory control, cognitive flexibility, working memory, and their synonyms in normal elderly. Results: 159 studies were identified in which 33 studies met the inclusion criteria. Considering above said period and mentioned keywords, only two studies examined the pattern of declining executive functions (working memory and inhibition) which reported diverse findings. Studies examining the impact of interventions on declining executive functions were found which indicated the positive impact of physical tasks, exercises, and activities on the decline of executive functions. The health-related mediating variables like pain; obesity; deterioration of cardiovascular fitness; and Age-related hearing loss are all found to be associated with the decline of executive functions in older adults. Based on this study it may be concluded that there is a literature gap in understanding the pattern of decline, therefore, further studies analysing the pattern of decline in executive functions of older adults are recommended.