The effectiveness of exercise on improving cognitive function in older people: a systematic review

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Neuroscience
• Public Health

Background:

• Exercise offers known physical and mental health benefits, increasing its healthcare relevance.
• Previous research on exercise's impact on neurocognitive function yields inconsistent findings.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the effectiveness of exercise interventions in improving cognitive function among older populations.

Main Methods:

• A narrative synthesis review of 12 medium- to high-quality randomized controlled trials (RCTs) published between 2006 and 2009.
• Searches conducted in MEDLINE, CINAHL, Cochrane Library, and Airiti Library using terms like 'exercise,' 'physical activity,' and 'cognition.'
• Study quality assessed using Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials (CONSORT) criteria.

Main Results:

• Eight of the 12 RCTs indicated that exercise positively impacts cognitive function.
• Interventions typically involved 60-minute sessions, three times per week for 24 weeks.
• Simple, one-component exercise benefited older adults with cognitive impairment, while multicomponent exercise was more effective for those cognitively healthy.

Conclusions:

• A minimum 6-week exercise program, with sessions of at least 60 minutes thrice weekly, demonstrates positive effects on cognition.
• Further large-scale, methodologically rigorous trials are needed to confirm the superior efficacy of multicomponent exercise for healthy older adults' cognitive function.