Meta analysis of aerobic exercise improving intelligence and cognitive function in patients with Alzheimer's disease

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disease. This study aims to explore the intervention and treatment effects of aerobic exercise and different exercise modes on AD through meta-analysis.

Using the set inclusion and exclusion criteria, retrieve the China national knowledge infrastructure (CNKI), Wanfang Data Knowledge Service Platform, China Science and Technology Journal Database, Cochrane Library, and PubMed were searched from January 1, 2012, to December 31, 2021. Cochrane risk bias assessment tool was used to evaluate the quality of the included articles, and ReMan5.4.1 was used for forest plot analysis of mini-mental state exam (MMSE) score indicators included in the included articles.

Twelve randomized controlled trials and 795 samples were included. Meta analysis of all articles: I2 = 91%, P ≤ .00001, (MD = 2.95, 95%CI [2.49, 3.40], P ≤ .00001). Meta analysis of 5 fit aerobics groups: I2 = 4%, P = .38, (MD = 1.53, 95%CI [0.72, 2.33], P = .0002); meta-analysis of three spinning groups: I2 = 3%, P = .36, (MD = 1.79, 95%CI [0.29, 3.29], P = .02).

Aerobic exercise can effectively improve intellectual and cognitive impairment in AD patients, and for different forms of aerobic exercise, the therapeutic effect of spinning aerobic exercise is better than that of fit aerobics.