The Effects of Mind-Body Exercise on Cognitive Performance in Elderly: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.


Author: Zhang Y1,2, Li C3, Zou L4, Liu X5, Song W6,7

Affiliation: <sup>1</sup>Health and Exercise Science Laboratory, Institute of Sports Science, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Korea. elite_zhangyj@163.com.

<sup>2</sup>Physical Education Unit, School of Humanities and Social Science, the Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen 518172, China. elite_zhangyj@163.com.

<sup>3</sup>Physical Education and Sports Science Academic Group, National Institute of Education, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore 637551, Singapore. cxlilee@gmail.com.

<sup>4</sup>Department of Sports Science and Physical Education, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong 999077, China. liyezou123@cuhk.edu.hk.

<sup>5</sup>Academy of Martial Arts and Traditional Sports, Beijing Sports University, Beijing 100084, China. liuxiaolei99@hotmail.com.

<sup>6</sup>Health and Exercise Science Laboratory, Institute of Sports Science, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Korea. songw3@snu.ac.kr.

<sup>7</sup>Institute on Aging, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Korea. songw3@snu.ac.kr.
Conference/Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health.
Date published: 2018 Dec 9
Other:
 Volume ID: 15   ,  Issue ID: 12   ,  Special Notes: doi: 10.3390/ijerph15122791.   ,  Word Count: 200  
    Background: As the situation of cognitive aging is getting worse, preventing or treating cognitive decline through effective strategies is highly important. This systematic review aims to investigate whether mind-body exercise is an effective approach for treating cognition decline. Methods: Searches for the potential studies were performed on the eight electronic databases (MEDLINE, Scopus, Web of Science, SPORTDiscus, CINAHL, PsycArtilces, CNKI, and Wanfang). Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) examining the effect of mind-body exercise on cognitive performance in older adults were included. Data were extracted and effect sizes were pooled with 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) using random-effects models. The Physiotherapy Evidence Database Scale was employed to examine the study quality. Results: Nineteen RCTs including 2539 elders (67.3% female) with fair to good study quality were identified. Mind-body exercise, relative to control intervention, showed significant benefits on cognitive performance, global cognition (Hedges'g = 0.23), executive functions (Hedges'g = 0.25 to 0.65), learning and memory (Hedges'g = 0.37 to 0.49), and language (Hedges'g = 0.35). In addition, no significant adverse events were reported. Conclusion: Mind-body exercise may be a safe and effective intervention for enhancing cognitive function among people aged 60 years or older. Further research evidence is still needed to make a more conclusive statement.



KEYWORDS: Qigong; Tai Chi; Yoga; cognition; older; research synthesis



PMID: 30544873  DOI: 10.3390/ijerph15122791