A Scoping Review of Multiple-modality Exercise and Cognition in Older Adults: Limitations and Future Directions

The effects of multiple-modality exercise (MME) on brain health warrants further elucidation. Our objectives were to report and discuss the current evidence regarding the influence of MME on cognition and neuroimaging outcomes in older adults without dementia. We searched the literature for studies investigating the effects of MME on measures of cognition, brain structure, and function in individuals 55 years or older without dementia. We include 33 eligible studies. Our findings suggested that MME improved global cognition, executive functioning, processing speed, and memory. MME also improved white and gray matter and hippocampal volumes. These findings were evident largely when compared with no-treatment control groups but not when compared with active (e.g., health education) or competing treatment groups (e.g., cognitive training). MME may improve brain health in older adults without dementia; however, because of possible confounding factors, more research is warranted.