The Effect of Cognitive Training After Heart Valve Surgery: A Systematic Review

Abstract

Background: Neurocognitive complications are common after cardiac surgery, and postoperative cognitive decline remains a clinically relevant concern in patients undergoing heart valve surgery. This impairment may persist over time and negatively affect quality of life and increase mortality risk. This review aimed to explore the potential benefits of cognitive training in patients after heart valve surgery. Methods: We systematically searched PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, and Scopus to identify articles published from database inception to 19 June 2025. Studies that investigated the effects of cognitive training in patients who underwent heart valve surgery were included. Results: A total of 1506 articles were identified. After title and abstract screening, 1476 articles not meeting the inclusion criteria were excluded. Thirty full-text articles were assessed for eligibility, of which four studies were ultimately included in this review. Cognitive training was found to significantly improve cognitive outcomes and health-related quality of life, with benefits sustained for up to 12 months postoperatively. Conclusions: This review highlights cognitive training as a promising, feasible, and effective intervention for preserving cognitive function in patients following heart valve surgery. By enhancing neuroplasticity, cognitive training may prevent or mitigate cognitive decline across multiple domains. Further large-scale studies are warranted to confirm the efficacy of this treatment in this patient population. © 2026 by the authors.