Effects of exercise interventions on memory in depression: a three-level meta-analysis

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Psychiatry
• Exercise Science

Background:

• Depression is frequently associated with cognitive impairments, particularly memory deficits.
• Exercise interventions have shown potential in ameliorating memory problems in various populations.
• Understanding exercise's specific impact on memory in depression is crucial for therapeutic strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To systematically evaluate the effects of exercise interventions on verbal and visual memory in patients diagnosed with depression.
• To conduct a three-level meta-analysis to quantify the overall effect size and identify potential moderators.

Main Methods:

• A comprehensive search of multiple electronic databases (PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, etc.) was performed to identify relevant randomized controlled trials up to July 2024.
• A three-level random-effects meta-analysis was employed to synthesize data from 16 included studies.
• The Cochrane Risk of Bias 2 (RoB 2) tool was used to assess the methodological quality of the selected trials.

Main Results:

• Exercise demonstrated a statistically significant, albeit small, positive effect on verbal memory in depressed patients (g = 0.17).
• Exercise intensity was a significant moderator, with low-to-moderate intensity exercise showing greater benefits.
• Optimal conditions for verbal memory improvement included mind-body exercise, duration ≤12 weeks, and session time ≤60 minutes. No clear effect was found for visual memory.

Conclusions:

• Exercise may provide a modest improvement in verbal memory for individuals with depression.
• The effectiveness of exercise on memory in depression appears influenced by factors like intensity and duration, but visual memory benefits remain uncertain.
• Further high-quality randomized controlled trials are warranted to confirm these findings and explore exercise's full potential in managing cognitive deficits in depression.