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Article analysis:

The article is generally trustworthy and reliable, as it is based on a systematic review and meta-analysis of 32 studies from 18 countries that assessed proportions of older adults with the mean or the median with a minimum age above 60 reporting worsening cognitive function and mental health during the two-year-and-a-half COVID-19 period. The authors used comprehensive search strategies to capture a wide range of articles that would have fit into their analysis framework, and they also provided detailed eligibility criteria for inclusion in the study. Furthermore, they conducted subgroup analyses by contextual factors such as length of isolation, stage of dementia, care options, and severity of mobility restrictions to investigate studied outcomes for specific population characteristics and sources of heterogeneity.

However, there are some potential biases in the article that should be noted. First, since all studies included in the meta-analysis were observational studies, there may be confounding factors that could influence the results which were not taken into account by the authors. Second, since all studies included in this meta-analysis were published between March 2020 and September 2022, it is possible that more recent research findings may have been overlooked or excluded due to time constraints. Third, since all studies included in this meta-analysis were written in English only, it is possible that relevant research findings from other languages may have been overlooked or excluded due to language constraints. Finally, since all participants included in this meta-analysis had a minimum age above 60 years old only, it is possible that relevant research findings from younger populations may have been overlooked or excluded due to age constraints.

In conclusion, while this article provides valuable insights into the impact of social isolation on cognitive function and mental health among older adults during the two year period since the start of the COVID 19 pandemic, potential biases should be taken into consideration when interpreting its results.