Evidence map›Paper›PMID 32329024›Full record

SynthesisAging clinical and experimental research2021

The effect of mind-body exercise on memory in older adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Mingzhu Ye, Lecong Wang, Jian Xiong, Guohua Zheng

Abstract readMeta-AnalysisSystematic Review
PubMed Publisher
In one paragraph

Synthesis in Aging clinical and experimental research, 2021. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 16 papers, 3 of them syntheses that pooled it.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
16citing papers in PubMed, 3 pooled it
5.0field-weighted citation impact, top 4% of its field
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

16 citing papers in PubMed, 3 syntheses or guidelines pooled it, 42 citations in OpenAlex.

  1. Pooled it
  2. Pooled it
  3. Pooled it
  4. The effect of 12 sessions of lymphatic massage and Pilates exercise on the executive functions of breast cancer survivors.Supportive care in cancer : official journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer · 2026
    Trial
  5. Trial
  6. Review
  7. Article
  8. Article
  9. Review
  10. Review
  11. Protective effects of physical activity on episodic memory during aging are explained by executive functioning.European review of aging and physical activity : official journal of the European Group for Research into Elderly and Physical Activity · 2024
    Article
  12. Article
  13. Mind body exercise improves cognitive function more than aerobic- and resistance exercise in healthy adults aged 55 years and older - an umbrella review.European review of aging and physical activity : official journal of the European Group for Research into Elderly and Physical Activity · 2023
    Review
  14. Article
  15. Article
  16. Effects of physical exercise on working memory in older adults: a systematic and meta-analytic review.European review of aging and physical activity : official journal of the European Group for Research into Elderly and Physical Activity · 2021
    Review
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

4 authors at 1 institution in 1 country.

Mingzhu YeShanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 201203, China.
Lecong WangShanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 201203, China.
Jian XiongShanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 201203, China.
Guohua ZhengShanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 201203, China. zhenggh@sumhs.edu.cn.
Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine · CN

Funding

the National Natural Science Foundation of China grant no.81574045
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

objectivesThe current systematic review aims to examine the effect of mind-body exercise on different memory types in the elderly population.

methodsFour literature databases (Pubmed, Cochrane library, Embase and Sinomed) were searched from inception to March 19, 2019. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) examining the effect of mind-body exercise on memory in older adults were included. The assessment of risk of bias for the included studies and data synthesis were conducted using the software of review manager 5.3 based on the Cochrane handbook.

resultsTwelve eligible RCTs with a total 1051 participants were identified that met the inclusion criteria for the systematic review. Meta-analysis in elderly adults without known neurological diseases showed mind-body exercise intervention had a large effect on general memory (SMD = 1.24, p = 0.005), a moderate effect on short-term memory (SMD = 0.51, p = 0.02) and long-term memory (SMD = 0.78, p < 0.001), a small effect on working memory (SMD = 0.28, p = 0.009), and a moderate effect on episodic memory (SMD = 0.74, p < 0.001) and semantic memory (SMD = 0.59, p = 0.003) compared to no specific exercise intervention. Similar results were also found in elderly adults with known neurological diseases, showing a moderate effect on general memory (SMD = 0.56, p < 0.001), short-term memory (SMD = 0.68, p = 0.01), and long-term memory (SMD = 0.80, p = 0.003); a small effect on working memory (SMD = 0.46, p < 0.001); and a large effect on episodic memory (SMD = 0.91, p < 0.001).

conclusionCompared with no specific exercise, mind-body exercise enhances memory in older adults. However, larger, more robust trials with longer follow-up periods and standardized neuropsychological outcome measures are needed before more definitive conclusions can be drawn.

Indexed as

Exercise TherapyMemory, EpisodicAgedExerciseHumansRandomized Controlled Trials as TopicComplementary and alternative interventionsMemoryNeurological diseasesRandomized controlled trials

Identifiers

PMID32329024
OpenAlexW3019733663

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.