Exercise interventions for cognitive function in adults older than 50: a systematic review with meta-analysis

Northey, Joseph M.; Cherbuin, Nicolas; Pumpa, Kate; Smee, Disa J.; Rattray, Ben

doi:10.1136/bjsports-2016-096587

Cited by 839 publications

(683 citation statements)

References 68 publications

(36 reference statements)

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“…Exercise may also improve cognitive function. A 2017 meta‐analysis of 36 randomized control trials found that various types of exercise had a beneficial effect on cognition, regardless of baseline cognitive status …”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 75%

Walking Speed, Cognitive Function, and Dementia Risk in the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing

Hackett

Davies‐Kershaw

Cadar

et al. 2018

J American Geriatrics Society

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Background Physical and cognitive function decline with age. Slow walking speed has been associated with negative health outcomes and dementia is often preceded by cognitive decline. This study investigated walking speed, cognitive function and the interaction between changes in these measures in relation to dementia risk. Method Walking speed and cognition were assessed in 3,932 individuals aged ≥60 years at wave 1 (2002–03) and 2 (2004–05) of the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing. New dementia cases were assessed from wave 3 (2006–07) to wave 7 (2014–15). The associations were modelled using Cox proportional hazards regression. Results Participants with faster baseline walking speeds (HR 0.36; 95% CI 0.22 – 0.60) had a decreased risk of dementia. Those who had a greater decline in walking speed (waves 1 – 2 (HR 1.23; 95% CI 1.03 – 1.47) had an increased dementia risk. Participants with greater baseline cognition (HR 0.42; 95% CI 0.34 – 0.54) had a reduced dementia risk. Those who had a greater decline in cognition (waves 1–2) had a greater risk of dementia (HR 1.78; 95% CI 1.53 – 2.06). Change in walking speed and change in cognition did not interact significantly in relation to dementia risk (HR 1.01; 95% CI 0.88 – 1.17). Conclusions In this community-dwelling sample of English adults those with slower walking speeds and a greater decline in speed over time had an increased risk of developing dementia independent of changes in cognition. Further research is required to understand the mechanisms that may drive these associations.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 75%

Walking Speed, Cognitive Function, and Dementia Risk in the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing

Hackett

Davies‐Kershaw

Cadar

et al. 2018

J American Geriatrics Society

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“…Previous meta‐analyses mostly focused on one type of mind‐body exercise, such as tai chi, yoga, or dance, for cognitive functions . Other reviews explored physical exercise including aerobic, resistance exercise, tai chi, or yoga for preventing and addressing cognitive impairment in older adults . Although these reviews involved mind‐body exercise as a component, the studies mainly focused on aerobic and resistance exercise, which might increase the confounding factors and cannot comprehensively and accurately assess the effect of mind‐body exercises on cognitive functions.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effects of Mind‐Body Exercises on Cognitive Function in Older Adults: A Meta‐Analysis

Zheng

et al. 2018

J American Geriatrics Society

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BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES Mind‐body exercise has positive effects on cognitive performance, according to clinical observation and experts’ recommendations. However, its potential benefits for the cognitive function of aging adults are uncertain and still lack systematic estimations. Therefore, we conducted a systematic review and meta‐analysis to evaluate the overall efficacy and effectiveness of mind‐body exercises for cognitive performance in aging individuals with or without cognitive impairment. DESIGN A systematic review and meta‐analysis. SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS We searched related trials through June 2018 from four databases: Medline, Embase, PsycINFO (all via Ovid), and the Cochrane Library/Central Register of Controlled Trials. MEASUREMENTS Methodological quality was assessed using the Cochrane Risk of Bias Tool. A meta‐analysis of comparative effects was performed using Review Manager v.5.3 software, and publication bias was examined using Egger's test. RESULTS A total of 32 randomized controlled trials with 3624 participants were ultimately included in this meta‐analysis. The results revealed that mind‐body exercises as a whole had benefits in improving global cognition compared with that of the control group (mean difference [MD] = 0.92; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.33‐1.51; p = .002) and were more effective than control interventions in promoting cognitive flexibility (MD = −8.80; 95% CI = −15.22 to −2.38; p = .007), working memory (MD = 0.32; 95% CI = 0.01‐0.64; p = .05), verbal fluency (standardized mean difference [SMD] = 0.27; 95% CI = 0.09‐0.45; p = .003), and learning (SMD = 0.24; 95% CI = 0.10‐0.39; p = .001) on cognitively intact or impaired older adults. In dose‐subgroup analysis, only moderate exercise intensity (60‐120 min per week) significantly increased global cognition scores compared with those of the control group (MD = 1.15; 95% CI = 0.34‐1.97; p = .006). CONCLUSION Mind‐body exercises, especially tai chi and dance mind‐body exercise, are beneficial for improving global cognition, cognitive flexibility, working memory, verbal fluency, and learning in cognitively intact or impaired older adults. Moderate intensity is recommended as the optimal dose for older adults. J Am Geriatr Soc 67:749–758, 2019.

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“…There is suggestion that exercise interventions may improve cognitive function. A systematic review and meta‐analysis of 39 RCTs on exercise interventions in community dwelling adults ≥50 years found that exercise significantly improved cognitive function ( P < .01), with aerobic training, resistance training, multicomponent training, and tai chi all having significant point estimates . They found that 45 to 60 minutes of at least moderate intensity exercise was most beneficial to cognitive function and the effect was independent of baseline cognitive status.…”

Section: Improving Cognition With Exercise and Physical Activitymentioning

confidence: 99%

The importance of physical function as a clinical outcome: Assessment and enhancement

Oneill

Forman

2019

Clinical Cardiology

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The burgeoning population of older adults is intrinsically prone to cardiovascular disease (CVD) in a context of multimorbidity and geriatric syndromes. Risks include high susceptibility to functional decline, with many older adults tipping towards patterns of sedentary behavior and to downstream effects of frailty, falls, disability, poor quality of life, as well as increased morbidity and mortality even if the incident CVD was treated perfectly. While physical activity has been shown to moderate these patterns both as primary or secondary preventive medical care, the majority of older adults fail to meet physical activity recommendations. Clinicians of all specialities, including CVD medicine, can benefit from greater proficiency in functional assessments for their older adults, as well as from insights how to initiate effective functional enhancing approaches even in older adults who may be frail, deconditioned, and medically complex. Pertinent functional assessments include traditional cardiovascular metrics of cardiorespiratory fitness, as well as strength and balance. This review summarizes the components of a wide‐ranging functional assessment that can be used to enhance care for older adults with CVD, as well as interventions to improve physical function.

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Exercise interventions for cognitive function in adults older than 50: a systematic review with meta-analysis

Cited by 839 publications

References 68 publications

Walking Speed, Cognitive Function, and Dementia Risk in the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing

Walking Speed, Cognitive Function, and Dementia Risk in the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing

Effects of Mind‐Body Exercises on Cognitive Function in Older Adults: A Meta‐Analysis

The importance of physical function as a clinical outcome: Assessment and enhancement

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