Does the combination of exercise and cognitive training improve working memory in older adults? A systematic review and meta-analysis

Yiqing Wu; Ming Zang; Biye Wang; Wei Guo

doi:10.7717/peerj.15108

Does the combination of exercise and cognitive training improve working memory in older adults? A systematic review and meta-analysis

PeerJ. 2023 Apr 10:11:e15108. doi: 10.7717/peerj.15108. eCollection 2023.

Authors

Yiqing Wu¹, Ming Zang², Biye Wang^{1

3}, Wei Guo^{1

3}

Affiliations

¹ College of Physical Education, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China.
² College of Electrical Engineering, Chuzhou Polytechnic, Chuzhou, China.
³ Institute of Sports, Exercise and Brain, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China.

Abstract

Background: Cognitive functioning is dependent on working memory and a decline in working memory is the main cause of cognitive aging. Many studies have suggested that physical exercise or cognitive intervention can effectively improve working memory in the elderly. However, it is still unknown whether a combination of exercise and cognitive training (CECT) is more effective than either intervention alone. The present systematic review and meta-analysis were undertaken to evaluate the effect of CECT on working memory in the elderly.

Methods: The review was registered in the International Prospective Systematic Review (PROSPERO, CRD42021290138). Systematic searches were conducted on Web of Science, Elsevier Science, PubMed and Google Scholar. The data were extracted according to the PICOS framework. Comprehensive meta-analysis (CMA) software was used to perform the meta-analysis, moderator analysis and publication bias testing.

Results: The current meta-analysis included 21 randomized controlled trials (RCT). Results showed that CECT had a significantly greater impact on working memory in older adults compared to no intervention groups (SMD = 0.29, 95% CI [0.14-0.44], p < 0.01), with no significant difference between CECT and exercise (SMD = 0.16, 95% CI [-0.04-0.35], p = 0.12) or cognitive intervention alone (SMD = 0.08, 95% CI [-0.13-0.30], p = 0.44). Furthermore, the positive effect of CECT was moderated by intervention frequency and cognitive state.

Conclusions: The CECT can effectively improve working memory of older adults, but the effect of CECT compared to single intervention needs to be further explored.

Keywords: Cognitive training; Combined intervention; Older adults; Physical exercise; Working memory.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

Aged
Cognition
Cognitive Training*
Exercise
Exercise Therapy
Humans
Memory, Short-Term*

Grants and funding

This work was supported by the National Social Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 18CTY014). The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.