The Beneficial Effects of Mind-body Exercises for People with Mild Cognitive Impairment: A Systematic Review with Meta-Analysis.


Author: Zou L1, Loprinzi PD2, Yeung AS3, Zeng N4, Huang T5

Affiliation: <sup>1</sup>Department of Sports Science and Physical Education, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong, China. Electronic address: liyezou123@gmail.com.

<sup>2</sup>Exercise & Memory Laboratory, Department of Health, Exercise Science and Recreation Management, The University of Mississippi, University, MS 38677, USA.

<sup>3</sup>Depression Clinical and Research Program, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical, School, Boston, MA 02114, USA.

<sup>4</sup>Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition, Colorado State University, CO 80523, USA.

<sup>5</sup>Department of Physical Education, Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai, 200000, China.
Conference/Journal: Arch Phys Med Rehabil.
Date published: 2019 Apr 12
Other:
  Pages: S0003-9993(19)30239-4   ,  Special Notes: doi: 10.1016/j.apmr.2019.03.009. [Epub ahead of print]   ,  Word Count: 228  
    OBJECTIVE: To objectively evaluate the most common forms of mind body exercise (MBE) (Tai Chi, Yoga, and Qigong) on cognitive function among people with MCI.



DATA SOURCES: We searched six electronic databases (Scopus, PubMed, PsycINFO, WanFang, Web of Science, and CNKI) from inception until September, 2018.



STUDY SELECTION: Nine randomized controlled trials and three non-randomized controlled trials were included for meta-analysis.



DATA EXTRACTION: Two researchers independently performed the literature searches, study selection, data extraction, and methodological quality assessment using the revised Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro) scale.



DATA SYNTHESIS: The pooled effect size (standardized mean difference, SMD) was calculated while random-effect model was selected. Overall results of the meta-analysis (N = 1298 people with MCI) indicated that MBE significantly improved attention (SMD = 0.39, 95% CI 0.07 to 0.71, p = 0.02, I2 = 31.6%, N = 245), short-term memory (SMD = 0.74, 95% CI 0.57 to 0.90, p < 0.001, I2 = 0%, N = 861), executive function (SMD = -0.42, 95% CI -0.63 to -0.21, p < 0.001, I2 = 38.54%, N = 701), visual-spatial/executive function (SMD = 0.35, 95% CI 0.07 to 0.64, p < 0.05, I2 = 0%, N = 285), and global cognitive function (SMD = 0.36, 95% CI 0.2 to 0.52, p < 0.001, I2 = 15.12%, N = 902). However, the significant positive effect on cognitive processing speed was not observed following MBE interventions (SMD = 0.31, 95% CI -0.01 to 0.63, p = 0.054, I2 = 28.66%, N = 233).



CONCLUSIONS: Study findings of this meta-analysis suggest that MBE have the potential to improve various cognitive functions in people with MCI.



Copyright © 2019. Published by Elsevier Inc.



KEYWORDS: MCI; Mind-body exercise; Qigong; Tai Chi; Yoga; mild cognitive impairment



PMID: 30986409  DOI: 10.1016/j.apmr.2019.03.009