A meta-analytic study of complex exercise interventions for cognitive performance in older adults

Purpose: To analyze the effect of complex exercise on cognitive ability of the elderly.

Study design: By means of literature screening and quality assessment, high-quality studies were extracted to comprehensively analyze the effects of complex exercise on cognitive ability of the elderly.

Method: By searching databases such as Web of Science and CNKI, we integrated experimental studies on the effects of complex exercise on cognitive ability in the elderly, conducted literature quality assessment according to Cochrane bias risk assessment tool, and conducted meta-analysis using Review Manager 5.3.

Results: 1) A total of 27 articles of high quality literature were included, containing 1072 subjects; 2) Complex exercise had a positive effect on cognitive abilities of older adults (SMD = 0.56; 95 % CI: 0.34, 0.78, P < 0.00001), with differences in the effects on different cognitive abilities, with the best effect on cognitive inhibition (SMD = 0.79; 95 % CI: 0.17, 1.41, P = 0.01), followed by executive function (SMD = 0.76; 95 % CI: 0.41, 1.11, P < 0.0001) and cognitive speed (SMD = 0.48; 95 % CI: 0.13, 0.84, P = 0.008), and a non-significant effect of memory intervention (SMD = 0.07; 95 % CI: -0.2, 0.33, P = 0.62); 3) The literature publication bias detection was more effective.

Conclusion: 1) Complex exercise had a moderate effect in promoting cognitive performance in older adults. 2) By subgroup analysis, the order of intervention effect was cognitive inhibition, executive function, and cognitive speed, in descending order. 3) The intervention effect of complex exercise on memory in older adults was not significant.