Boston NamingTest performance in mild cognitive impairment: a meta-analysis

Naming impairment is frequently observed in cognitive decline, but evidence in mild cognitive impairment (MCI) remains inconsistent. This study aimed to systematically evaluate naming ability in individuals with MCI. A systematic search of PubMed, Web of Science, EMBASE, and Cochrane Library (2015–2025) identified 20 cross-sectional studies comparing Boston Naming Test (BNT) performance between MCI patients and healthy controls. To ensure methodological comparability, only studies using the BNT were included. Standardized mean differences (SMDs) were calculated using random-effects models. Heterogeneity, publication bias, and potential moderators (age, sex, education, global cognition) were assessed. The meta-analysis included 1,306 MCI patients and 3,877 controls. MCI patients performed significantly worse on naming tasks than controls (SMD = -0.841, 95% CI: -1.001 to -0.675; p < 0.001), with consistent findings across BNT versions. Meta-regression revealed no moderating effects of age, sex, or education, while global cognitive function significantly affected naming performance. Substantial heterogeneity was observed. Reduced performance on the Boston Naming Test is common in individuals with MCI and appears to be partially related to global cognitive status rather than demographic factors. Future studies should explore subtype-specific patterns and longitudinal associations to clarify the clinical significance of naming impairments in MCI.