Activity types and quality of life in community-dwelling older adults: a network meta-analysis of 71 RCTs
In 71 randomized trials with 12,159 community-dwelling older adults (mean or median age ≥65), activity-based interventions were associated with better quality of life than no treatment, but evidence certainty was very low to low and no activity category was shown to be superior. [1]
Automatic summary · not editorially reviewed
The key findings
The review compared social, physical and self-directed activities in community-dwelling older adults with a study-sample mean or median age of at least 65 years. [1]
Seventy-one trials with 12,159 participants were included; the overall pairwise effect favored activity-based interventions but certainty was very low. [1]
The authors state the evidence does not establish superiority of one activity category and that rankings are hypothesis-generating. [1]
The source at a glance
- Study type / format
- Systematic review and Bayesian network meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (abstract).
- Population / context
- Community-dwelling older adults with a study-sample mean or median age of at least 65 years.
- Summary based on
- Study abstract
- Original publication
- September 21, 2026
Three activity categories compared in older adults
The review asked whether meaningful activity participation supports quality of life in community-dwelling older adults. It compared interaction-based social activities, exercise-based physical activities and self-directed individual activities, classified using a theoretically informed operational framework. Eligible randomized controlled trials had a study-sample mean or median age of at least 65 years. Thirteen English- and Korean-language databases were searched through May 2026.
Supporting source [1]
Quality-of-life estimates versus no treatment
Seventy-one trials with 12,159 participants were included. The overall pairwise effect favored activity-based interventions (standardized mean difference 0.59, 95% confidence interval 0.45–0.73), but heterogeneity was substantial and the prediction interval crossed the null; certainty was very low. In the network meta-analysis, low-certainty evidence suggested all three categories may improve quality of life versus no treatment: self-directed 0.78 (95% credible interval 0.25–1.32), physical 0.73 (0.46–1.00) and social 0.40 (0.11–0.69).
Supporting source [1]
No category shown superior; rankings hypothesis-generating
The authors conclude that the evidence does not establish superiority of one activity category. After excluding high-risk studies, the overall pairwise estimate was 0.53 (0.37–0.69); the physical estimate remained 0.61, while social and self-directed estimates were 0.43 and 0.45. Findings are limited by heterogeneity, risk of bias, potential publication bias and sparse direct active comparisons. Rankings should be considered hypothesis-generating, and higher-quality head-to-head trials are needed.
Supporting source [1]
How to interpret this
Abstract only; the full text was not reviewed. Evidence certainty was very low to low, heterogeneity was substantial, risk of bias and potential publication bias were noted, and direct active comparisons were sparse.
Based on the study abstract; the full paper, tables and supplementary data were not reviewed.
Source & supporting passages
Seo J, Li Y, Song R. · europepmc.org · September 21, 2026