The Effect of Balance-Based Interventions on Cognitive Functions of the Healthy and MCI Elderly: A Systematic Review...

Aging is an inseparable part of life, accompanied by mild to severe cognitive disorders. This study aimed to investigate the influence of balance-based interventions on cognitive function in older adults, encompassing both healthy individuals and those with mild cognitive impairment (MCI).

A systematic review was conducted by searching multiple databases up to April 2023, and the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) checklist was followed for reporting. Sixteen studies, comprising 1148 participants aged 43 to 89 years, were analyzed. Balance exercises were administered 1 to 3 times per week, lasting 30 to 60 minutes per session. Methodological quality was assessed using the Downs and Black checklist. A meta-analysis was conducted for executive functions (Stroop Test) and complex attention (Trail-Making Test, TMT A&B), while other outcomes underwent qualitative analysis.

Qualitative analysis revealed positive effects on specific executive functions and complex attention aspects. However, the meta-analysis did not show significant differences in scores between balance training and control groups, which included healthy adults receiving nonbalance interventions or no intervention.

Limited research and methodological constraints hinder conclusive findings on balance-based interventions for older adults' cognitive functions. Yet, these interventions show the potential to enhance executive function and complex attention, emphasizing the need for further research in disability and rehabilitation.