Objectives: To compare and rank the relative effectiveness of different modes for exercise combined cognitive training (ECT) in people with Alzheimer's disease (AD) or Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI).
Methods: We searched PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, SPORTDiscus, PsycInfo, and OpenGrey systematically from inception to May 2020. Studies were included that met the inclusion criteria: randomized controlled trials, involving people with MCI or dementia, performing ECT without other interventions, and assessing global cognitive function, memory function, and executive function. Pairwise and network meta-analyses were performed using a random effects model.
Results: We included 20 articles from 16 studies with 1180 participants. For global cognition, separate modality had the highest probability of being the optimal approach (the surface under the cumulative ranking curve (SUCRA) value = 77.5%). For memory function, the interactive mode had the greatest probability of being the best choice (SUCRA = 84.7%). Concerning executive function, the dual-task modality and separate modality had similar SUCRA values. Subgroup analysis revealed no differences for the relative effectiveness of ECT among people with MCI or among all participants.
Conclusions: Separate and interactive combination modality had the highest probability of being the most effective mode for overall cognition and memory performance. However, the evidence is insufficient to reveal the best combination mode for executive function.
Supplemental data for this article is available online at https://doi.org/10.1080/13607863.2022.2026879 .
Keywords: Exercise; cognitive function; cognitive impairment; cognitive training; network meta-analysis.