Evidence mapPaperPMID 41540404Full record

SynthesisBMC public health2026

The effect of different exercise interventions on global cognitive function in patients with type 2 diabetes: a systematic review and network meta-analysis.

Ming Gao, Zhiyuan Sun, Deiwei Mao, Qinghui Shang, Xuewen Tian

Abstract readNetwork Meta-AnalysisSystematic Review
In one paragraph

Synthesis in BMC public health, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
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0citing papers in PubMed
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

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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

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

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

5 authors.

Ming Gao *Shandong Sport university, 10600 Century Avenue, Jinan, Shandong, 250102, China.
Zhiyuan Sun *Shandong Sport university, 10600 Century Avenue, Jinan, Shandong, 250102, China.
Deiwei MaoDivision of Physical Education, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2001 Longxiang Avenue, Shenzhen, 518172, China.
Qinghui ShangShandong Sport university, 10600 Century Avenue, Jinan, Shandong, 250102, China. 15153701676@163.com.
Xuewen TianShandong Sport university, 10600 Century Avenue, Jinan, Shandong, 250102, China. Xuewentian1978@163.com.

Funding

Science and Technology Development Center, Ministry of Education 2024ZD0531803
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundThe global prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is rising, significantly increasing the risk of cognitive impairment and dementia. Although exercise improves cognitive function in T2DM, few studies have compared different exercise modalities. This network meta-analysis assessed their effects on global cognitive function in patients with T2DM.

methodsThis study systematically searched PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), and Wanfang databases from their inception to October 10, 2025, and included randomized controlled trials (RCTs) evaluating the effects of exercise interventions on global cognitive function in patients with T2DM. Standardized mean differences (SMDs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were pooled using a random-effects model, and treatment rankings were estimated using surface under the cumulative ranking curve (SUCRA) values. Subgroup analyses were performed according to cognitive assessment tools, intervention duration, and training frequency.

resultsTwenty-one RCTs involving 2,118 participants were included. Compared with usual care, multimodal exercise (ME, 7 trials, n = 423, SMD = 1.04, 95% CI: 0.49-1.59), aerobic exercise (AE, 9 trials, n = 399, SMD = 0.85, 95% CI༚0.38-1.33), and mind-body exercise (MBE, 4 trials, n = 202, SMD = 0.93, 95% CI༚0.25-1.62) significantly improved global cognitive function, while resistance exercise (RE, 2 trials, n = 77, SMD = 0.46, 95% CI༚-0.57-1.48) showed no significant effect. SUCRA rankings indicated the highest efficacy for ME (78.1%), followed by MBE (69.0%), AE (61.5%), and RE (36.6%). Subgroup analyses showed that ME was most effective when cognition was assessed with MoCA and in long-term interventions (> 3 months), whereas MBE and AE were more effective with MMSE and in short-term interventions (≤ 3 months). At exercise frequencies ≤ 3 sessions per week, ME, AE, and MBE were effective, while at higher frequencies only ME remained effective.

conclusionThis study indicates that ME is the most effective intervention for improving global cognitive function in patients with T2DM, while MBE and AE also provide benefits. In clinical practice, exercise interventions should be tailored to individual patient characteristics to optimize cognitive outcomes.

Indexed as

CognitionDiabetes Mellitus, Type 2ExerciseExercise TherapyHumansRandomized Controlled Trials as TopicCognitionDiabetes mellitusExerciseNetwork Meta-AnalysisType 2

Identifiers

PMID41540404
PMCPMC12892726

What Socratic holds

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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.