Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40454205›Full record

SynthesisFrontiers in aging neuroscience2025

Effects of exercise interventions on cognitive function in patients with cognitive dysfunction: an umbrella review of meta-analyses.

Guangyao Sun, Xingyi Ding, Zhong Zheng, Hongtao Ma

Abstract readSystematic Review
PubMed Full text at PMC Publisher
In one paragraph

Synthesis in Frontiers in aging neuroscience, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 8 papers, 3 of them syntheses that pooled it.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
8citing papers in PubMed, 3 pooled it
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

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.

2 · The registry

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.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

8 citing papers in PubMed, 3 syntheses or guidelines pooled it.

  1. Pooled it
  2. Pooled it
  3. Pooled it
  4. Trial
  5. Review
  6. Article
  7. Review
  8. Review
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

4 authors.

Guangyao SunCollege of Education, Beijing Sport University, Beijing, China.
Xingyi DingCollege of Education, Beijing Sport University, Beijing, China.
Zhong ZhengDepartment of Physical Education, Peking University, Beijing, China.
Hongtao MaCollege of Education, Beijing Sport University, Beijing, China.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Objective: This umbrella review assessed the quality, potential biases, and effects of exercise interventions on cognitive function in individuals with cognitive impairments. Methods: A comprehensive umbrella review of meta-analyses of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) was performed to evaluate the effects of exercise on cognitive function in individuals with cognitive impairments. Databases including Web of Science, PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews were searched. Outcomes were evaluated using the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) system, classified as "high," "moderate," "low," or "very low" quality. Results: A total of 55 meta-analyses were included, covering dementia, cognitive impairment, MCI, Alzheimer's disease (AD), Parkinson's disease (PD), and stroke. Cognitive outcomes were assessed using scales like MMSE and MoCA. High-quality evidence supports Exergaming (SMD 0.69), Tai Chi (SMD 0.36), and traditional Chinese mind-body exercises (SMD 0.32) for improving MMSE and MoCA Score in MCI patients. For dementia, moderate-quality evidence shows resistance training (SMD 0.60) and Tai Chi (SMD 0.27) have positive effects. Aerobic exercise (MD 2.95) was more effective for AD, while mind-body exercises (MD 1.68) benefitted PD patients. Multi-component exercises (SMD 0.67) improved MMSE and MoCA scores in post-stroke cognitive impairment. For unspecified cognitive impairments, combining exercise with cognitive training and traditional Chinese exercises showed higher effectiveness. Due to small sample sizes, all findings were Class IV evidence, requiring further research. Conclusion: Moderate to high-quality evidence supports Exergaming, Tai Chi, and traditional Chinese exercises in improving cognitive function in MCI. For dementia, resistance training and Tai Chi are effective; for AD, aerobic exercise; for PD, mind-body exercises; and for post-stroke cognitive impairment, multi-component exercises are beneficial. Systematic review registration: https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/view/CRD42024587635, identifier [CRD42024587635].

Indexed as

cognitive dysfunctionexercisemeta-analysissystematic reviewumbrella review

Identifiers

PMID40454205
PMCPMC12122535

What Socratic holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

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.