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Meta-Analysis
. 2022 Jan 22;19(3):1216.
doi: 10.3390/ijerph19031216.

Physical Activity Improves Cognition and Activities of Daily Living in Adults with Alzheimer's Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

Shengwen Zhou  1 , Sitong Chen  2 , Xiaolei Liu  3 , Yanjie Zhang  4   5 , Mengxian Zhao  6 , Wenjiao Li  5
Affiliations
Meta-Analysis

Physical Activity Improves Cognition and Activities of Daily Living in Adults with Alzheimer's Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

Shengwen Zhou et al. Int J Environ Res Public Health. .

Abstract

Objective: The purpose of this meta-analysis was to examine the effects of physical activity (PA) on cognition and activities of daily living in adults with Alzheimer's Disease (AD).

Methods: Six electronic databases (MEDLINE, CINAHL, PsycArticles, SPORTDiscus, EMBASE and CNKI) were used to search for potential studies from inception until October 2021. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) investigating the effect of physical activity (PA) on cognition and activities of daily living in AD patients compared to a control condition were included. The effect sizes were synthesized using a random effects model with a 95% confidence interval (CI).

Results: Sixteen articles including 945 participants (aged 70 to 88 years, 34.6% male) met the inclusion criteria. The pooled effect sizes demonstrated that PA intervention was associated with significant improvements in global cognition (Standard Mean Difference (SMD) = 0.41, 95% CI [0.24, 0.58], p < 0.01) and activities of daily living (SMD = 0.56, 95% CI [0.32, 0.79], p < 0.01) in AD patients. Subgroup analyses suggested that PA for 3-4 times per week for 30-45 min for more than 12 weeks had a relatively strong effect on improving global cognition in AD patients. The sensitivity analysis showed robust results.

Conclusions: The findings from the current meta-analysis suggested that AD patients can improve their global cognition and Activities of Daily Living (ADL) through engaging in aerobic and mixed exercise (aerobic and anaerobic exercise).

Keywords: Alzheimer’s disease; activities of daily living; cognitive function; physical exercise.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that there is no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
The flowchart of study selection based on PRISMA.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Forest plot showing the effects of physical activity vs. control on global cognition.
Figure 3
Figure 3
The funnel plot of publication bias for global cognition.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Effect size by exercise session time in meta-regression for global cognition.
Figure 5
Figure 5
Forest plot showing the effects of physical activity vs. the control on activities of daily living.
Figure 6
Figure 6
The funnel plot of publication bias for activities of daily living.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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