Faculty mentor/PI email address
whelihan@rowan.edu
Keywords
Postoperative cognitive dysfunction, perioperative pharmacological interventions, delirium, cognitive rehabilitation, perioperative nonpharmacological interventions, elderly patients
Date of Presentation
5-6-2026 12:00 AM
Poster Abstract
Older adults (≥65 years) are at increased risk for postoperative cognitive impairment, including postoperative delirium (POD) and postoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD), which contribute to prolonged recovery, increased morbidity, and mortality. Preventive strategies include pharmacological interventions and non-pharmacological approaches such as cognitive training; however, these approaches are typically studied in isolation. The purpose of this literature review was to compare the effectiveness of perioperative pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions in reducing postoperative cognitive impairment in elderly surgical patients. A review of six studies, including randomized controlled trials and cohort studies, was conducted in patients undergoing cardiac, spinal, and noncardiac surgeries. Cognitive outcomes, including POD and POCD, were assessed using validated tools such as the Confusion Assessment Method (CAM), Mini-Cog, and neuropsychological test batteries. Interventions included pharmacologic therapies and cognitive training programs administered pre- or postoperatively. Overall, both pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions were associated with reductions in postoperative cognitive impairment. Pharmacologic interventions demonstrated more consistent statistically significant reductions, with incidence decreases ranging from 11.9% to 43%. Non-pharmacological interventions, particularly cognitive training, showed reductions ranging from 15.3% to 31%, though not all findings reached statistical significance. Overall, no clear superiority was identified between the two approaches. To conclude, both pharmacological and non-pharmacological strategies are promising for reducing postoperative cognitive impairment in elderly patients; however, current evidence does not support the superiority of one approach. Further large-scale, high-quality studies are needed to guide clinical practice.
Disciplines
Anesthesiology | Geriatrics | Medicine and Health Sciences | Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences
Included in
Anesthesiology Commons, Geriatrics Commons, Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences Commons
The Comparative Efficacy of Perioperative Pharmacological and Non-Pharmacological Strategies in Reducing Post-Anesthesia Cognitive Impairment Among Elderly Patients: A Literature Review
Older adults (≥65 years) are at increased risk for postoperative cognitive impairment, including postoperative delirium (POD) and postoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD), which contribute to prolonged recovery, increased morbidity, and mortality. Preventive strategies include pharmacological interventions and non-pharmacological approaches such as cognitive training; however, these approaches are typically studied in isolation. The purpose of this literature review was to compare the effectiveness of perioperative pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions in reducing postoperative cognitive impairment in elderly surgical patients. A review of six studies, including randomized controlled trials and cohort studies, was conducted in patients undergoing cardiac, spinal, and noncardiac surgeries. Cognitive outcomes, including POD and POCD, were assessed using validated tools such as the Confusion Assessment Method (CAM), Mini-Cog, and neuropsychological test batteries. Interventions included pharmacologic therapies and cognitive training programs administered pre- or postoperatively. Overall, both pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions were associated with reductions in postoperative cognitive impairment. Pharmacologic interventions demonstrated more consistent statistically significant reductions, with incidence decreases ranging from 11.9% to 43%. Non-pharmacological interventions, particularly cognitive training, showed reductions ranging from 15.3% to 31%, though not all findings reached statistical significance. Overall, no clear superiority was identified between the two approaches. To conclude, both pharmacological and non-pharmacological strategies are promising for reducing postoperative cognitive impairment in elderly patients; however, current evidence does not support the superiority of one approach. Further large-scale, high-quality studies are needed to guide clinical practice.