Introduction: Brief interventions (BIs) are strategies involving screening for at-risk drinkers, followed by a short intervention providing information about alcohol and personalized feedback. BIs are cost-effective for the general population, but less is known about their potential effectiveness in the older adultpopulation.

Objectives: To conduct a systematic review (SR) on the effects of BI in people aged 50 and above on alcohol consumption (primary outcome), cognitive performance, and depressive symptoms (secondary outcomes).

Methods: Searches were conducted in the MEDLINE, EMBASE, and LILACS databases to identify randomized controlled trials (RCTs) in English, Spanish, and Portuguese, published up to June 2023. A risk of bias assessment (Rob 2.0) was performed, and a direct meta-analysis (RevMan version 5.4.1) was conducted for all available primary outcomes. The SR protocol was registered in PROSPERO (CRD42023436908).

Results: Eight studies were initially identified, and five of them which met the inclusion criteria were included in the meta-analysis. All studies were conducted in high-income countries and varied in relation to the outcome measures. There was a statistically significant reduction (SMD = 0.21; 95% CI: 0.07 – 0 .34) in alcohol consumption among older adults at 3 months follow-up. However, at 6 and 12 months, there was no statistically significant difference between the control and intervention groups. None of the eligible studies presented results on the secondary outcomes, cognition, or mood.

Conclusions: BIs show promise as an intervention for addressing and reducing at-risk drinking in older adults. However, there is limited research in this area, and the lack of standardized Methodsological criteria makes it difficult to compare the results of studies. Therefore, further studies are required, using standardized Methodsologies, to better understand the long-term effects, in respect of both primary and secondary outcomes, of these interventions.