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Efficacy of different types of exercises on global cognition in adults with mild cognitive impairment: a network meta-analysis

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Abstract

Objective

To compare the efficacy of different types of exercises on global cognition in adults with mild cognitive impairment.

Methods

We systematically searched six databases from their inception to December 14, 2018, for randomized controlled trials evaluating the efficacy of exercise on global cognition in adults with mild cognitive impairment. For the included studies, the mean changes in global cognition from baseline to endpoint were analyzed. A random-effects model was used to conduct pairwise meta-analyses to directly examine the efficacy of different types of exercises. The consistency model was used to conduct a network meta-analysis to evaluate the relative efficacy and rank probability of different types of exercises.

Results

Pairwise meta-analyses suggested that there was no significant heterogeneity in the exercises. Aerobic exercises (n = 5), resistance exercises (n = 4), and mind–body exercises (n = 7) all had significant benefits compared to the control. Exergame showed a positive trend for higher efficacy than control (n = 1) and mind–body exercise (n = 1). The results of the network meta-analysis indicated that the four exercise types all had significant benefits compared to the control, and resistance exercises outperformed mind–body exercises. Resistance exercises were most likely to be ranked 1, followed by exergames, aerobic exercises, and mind–body exercises.

Conclusions

High-intensity and frequent resistance exercises may be the most effective exercise type to improve global cognition in adults with mild cognitive impairment. More multi-arm designs and randomized controlled trials examining the efficacy of exergames are needed.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Nursing, Jilin University, 965 Xinjiang Street, Changchun, 130021, China

    Shuo Wang, Huiru Yin, Yong Jia, Lisheng Wang & Li Chen

  2. Senior Officials Inpatient Ward, First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, 130021, China

    Xinxin Wang & Chunyan Wang

Authors
  1. Shuo Wang
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  2. Huiru Yin
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  3. Xinxin Wang
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  4. Yong Jia
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  5. Chunyan Wang
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  6. Lisheng Wang
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  7. Li Chen
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Correspondence to Chunyan Wang or Lisheng Wang.

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Wang, S., Yin, H., Wang, X. et al. Efficacy of different types of exercises on global cognition in adults with mild cognitive impairment: a network meta-analysis. Aging Clin Exp Res 31, 1391–1400 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40520-019-01142-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40520-019-01142-5

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