Unravelling Cognitive Frailty: Perceptions, Misconceptions, and the Path to Prevention
Clicks: 1
ID: 315121
2026
Article Quality & Performance Metrics
Overall Quality
Not rated
Combines reader engagement with the AI quality analysis. This
article has not been analysed, so there is no overall score —
reader engagement is measured and shown alongside.
Reader Engagement
0.0
/100
1 views
0 readers
AI Quality Assessment
Not analyzed
Readership in this journal
Ranked #146 of 155 articles by views in the gerontologist
Most read
Least read
Bar heights use a square-root scale. Only the 120 most-read articles are drawn; the journal has 155 in total.
Mint this article as an NFT
Not yet mintedCreate a permanent, verifiable on-chain record of this article on the Scimatic Network. The NFT is held in your Journament account, and you can withdraw it to your own wallet at any time.
5
SUSD
one-off · no wallet required
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: As populations age, extending healthy life expectancy and reducing morbidity are priorities. Cognitive frailty, the co-occurrence of cognitive impairment and physical frailty without dementia, may offer a window for prevention. However, there is limited evidence on how cognitive frailty is understood, which may undermine recognition and risk reduction. This study provides new insights into how cognitive frailty is conceptualised across public and professional contexts, by exploring perceptions, causes and risk factors of cognitive frailty to inform public health and clinical practice. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: We conducted 22 semi-structured interviews with members of the public and healthcare professionals. Interviews examined perceived definitions, symptoms and risk factors. Data were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis. RESULTS: Three analytic domains were identified: conceptualisations, manifestations and risk factors. Participants often conflated cognitive frailty with cognitive impairment or described it as an early stage of dementia. The physical frailty aspect was under-recognised, particularly among public participants. When presented with the international definition, many reframed cognitive frailty as a transitional and potentially preventable state. Healthcare professionals articulated broader symptom profiles and more integrated risk frameworks, whereas the public emphasised observable physical change. Across both groups, mood changes, social withdrawal and unhealthy lifestyle were viewed as central risks, though their interplay was described with varying detail. DISCUSSION AND IMPLICATIONS: Inconsistent understanding of cognitive frailty may hinder early recognition and prevention. Clearer operational definitions, supportive policy and targeted education are needed to strengthen detection, risk reduction and intervention strategies that protect independence in later life.
| Reference Key |
openalex_W7162553476
Use this key to autocite in the manuscript while using
SciMatic Manuscript Manager or Thesis Manager
|
|---|---|
| Authors | Gerda Prakopimaite, M Pfaff, Eddy J. Davelaar, Lisa Quadt, Malgorzata Raczek, Naji Tabet, Alan J. Gow, Carol Holland, Dorina Cadar |
| Journal | the gerontologist |
| Year | 2026 |
| DOI |
10.1093/geront/gnag112
|
| URL | |
| Keywords | Keywords not found |
Citations
No citations found. To add a citation, contact the admin at info@scimatic.org
Comments
No comments yet. Be the first to comment on this article.