Comparison of various exercise interventions on cognitive function in Alzheimer's patients: A network meta-analysis

Shi Lv; Qian Wang; Wenxin Liu; Xinlei Zhang; Mengmeng Cui; Xiubin Li; Yuzhen Xu

doi:10.1016/j.archger.2023.105113

Comparison of various exercise interventions on cognitive function in Alzheimer's patients: A network meta-analysis

Arch Gerontol Geriatr. 2023 Dec:115:105113. doi: 10.1016/j.archger.2023.105113. Epub 2023 Jun 29.

Authors

Shi Lv¹, Qian Wang², Wenxin Liu¹, Xinlei Zhang¹, Mengmeng Cui¹, Xiubin Li³, Yuzhen Xu⁴

Affiliations

¹ Department of Rehabilitation, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Shandong First Medical University, Taian 271000, China.
² Postdoctoral Workstation, Department of Central Laboratory, The Affiliated Taian City Central Hospital of Qingdao University, Taian 271000, China.
³ Department of Neurology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Shandong First Medical University, Taian 271000, China. Electronic address: 361861097@qq.com.
⁴ Department of Rehabilitation, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Shandong First Medical University, Taian 271000, China. Electronic address: xuyuzhen@sdfmu.edu.cn.

PMID: 37418819
DOI: 10.1016/j.archger.2023.105113

Abstract

Objective: Exercise helps enhance cognitive function in Alzheimer's patients, although the most effective forms of exercise remain unknown.

Methods: This network meta-analysis was registered in INPLASY (INPLASY202330066). According to predetermined criteria, this investigation comprised randomized controlled studies involving exercise therapies in people with Alzheimer's disease. The exercise intervention was ranked using surface under the cumulative ranking curve (SUCRA) and mean ranking, with the critical goal outcomes being overall cognition, executive function, and memory function.

Results: Resistance exercise is the most likely strategy to be beneficial for slowing down overall cognitive function loss in Alzheimer's patients (72.4%). Additionally, multi-component exercise was the most effective way to improve executive function (30.4%). The only type of exercise that significantly affects memory function is resistance exercise. Memory is the cognitive function that is least responsive to exercise.

Conclusion: Resistance exercise may be an efficient intervention for overall cognitive function decline in patients with Alzheimer's and conjointly for their memory function. Multi-component exercise is more effective in improving executive function in patients with Alzheimer's disease.

Keywords: Alzheimer's disease; Cognitive; Exercise; Network meta-analysis.

Publication types

Meta-Analysis
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Alzheimer Disease* / psychology
Alzheimer Disease* / therapy
Cognition
Cognitive Dysfunction* / etiology
Cognitive Dysfunction* / psychology
Cognitive Dysfunction* / therapy
Exercise Therapy
Humans
Network Meta-Analysis