SynthesisFrontiers in psychology2025
Exploring the impact of different types of exercise on working memory in children with ADHD: a network meta-analysis.
Synthesis in Frontiers in psychology, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 7 papers, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.
What it found
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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.
Who cites it
7 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it.
- Comparative effects of different exercise modalities on executive function in children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder: a systematic review and network meta-analysis.Frontiers in psychology · 2026Pooled it
- Physical exercise as a non-pharmacological strategy for ADHD considering neurobiological mechanisms, cognitive benefits, and practical recommendations: a narrative review.European archives of psychiatry and clinical neuroscience · 2026Review
- Article
- The Positive Effects of Exercise on Adolescent Growth and Development.Advances in experimental medicine and biology · 2026Review
- Preliminary Research: Effectiveness of an Intervention Program Based on New Technologies for the Improvement of Cognitive and Motor Processes in Children and Adolescents with ADHD: A Randomized Controlled Trial.European journal of investigation in health, psychology and education · 2025Article
- Sport-specific impacts of ball games on adolescent brain function: a network meta-analysis of executive cognitive tasks.BMC sports science, medicine & rehabilitation · 2025Article
- Biomarkers and Neuropsychological Tools in Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder: From Subjectivity to Precision Diagnosis.Medicina (Kaunas, Lithuania) · 2025Review
Corrections and comments
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Authors and funding
6 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
Background: Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a common neurodevelopmental disorder in children, often accompanied by working memory deficits. Recently, exercise interventions have gained attention as a potential strategy to improve cognitive function in children with ADHD. However, the effects of different types of exercise on working memory remain unclear. This study aimed to assess the effects of various exercise interventions on working memory in children with ADHD using a network meta-analysis. Methods: A comprehensive search was conducted in PubMed, Cochrane, Embase, and Web of Science databases for relevant studies. After screening according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria, a total of 17 eligible studies were identified for analysis. A network meta-analysis was performed to integrate data and evaluate the effects of cognitive-aerobic exercise, ball games, mind-body exercises, interactive games, and general aerobic exercise on working memory in children with ADHD. Results: The results indicated significant differences in the effectiveness of various types of exercise interventions on working memory in children with ADHD. Cognitive-aerobic exercise showed the most significant effect (SMD = 0.72, 95% CI: 0.44-1.00), followed by ball games (SMD = 0.61, 95% CI: -0.12-1.35). Mind-body exercises and interactive games had moderate effects (SMD = 0.50 and 0.37, respectively), while general aerobic exercise showed relatively small effects (SMD = 0.40, 95% CI: 0.19-0.60). SUCRA analysis further confirmed the highest preference for cognitive-aerobic exercise in improving working memory. Meta-regression analysis showed that intervention frequency and total intervention duration significantly affected the effectiveness of cognitive-aerobic exercise, while other variables did not significantly moderate the effects. Conclusion: Cognitive-aerobic exercise had the most significant effect on improving working memory in children with ADHD. Higher intervention frequency and longer intervention duration may enhance its effects. Future research should explore the impact of these factors and consider increasing sample sizes to validate the role of these moderators. Systematic review registration: https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/display_record.php?RecordID=627915.
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Registered trials
Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the Socratic graph.