SynthesisPeerJ2023
Does the combination of exercise and cognitive training improve working memory in older adults? A systematic review and meta-analysis.
Synthesis in PeerJ, 2023. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 11 papers, 4 of them syntheses that pooled 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.
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.
Who cites it
11 citing papers in PubMed, 4 syntheses or guidelines pooled it, 13 citations in OpenAlex.
- Non-pharmacological interventions for older adults with mild cognitive impairment: an umbrella review.BMC geriatrics · 2026Pooled it
- Comparative effects of different exercise modalities on cognitive domains in older adults: a Bayesian network meta-analysis and meta-regression.Frontiers in nutrition · 2026Pooled it
- Exercise prescription to improve executive functioning in children and adolescents with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: a network meta-analysis.Frontiers in psychiatry · 2026Pooled it
- Effects of motor-cognitive training on cognitive function and gait performance in older adults with dementia: a systematic review and meta-analysis.Scientific reports · 2025Pooled it
- Supporting Visual Working Memory in Healthy Aging: A Review of Current Interventions and Perspectives on Future Approaches.Brain sciences · 2026Review
- Cognitive and Psychological Transfer Effects of Length-Dependent Working Memory Training in Healthy Older Adults.Journal of Intelligence · 2026Article
- Effectiveness of Cognitive Rehabilitation in Improving Symptoms and Restoring Cognitive Functions in Patients with Depression: An Updated Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.Alpha psychiatry · 2024Review
- Resistance Exercise Training as a New Trend in Alzheimer's Disease Research: From Molecular Mechanisms to Prevention.International journal of molecular sciences · 2024Review
- Working memory load modulates anticipatory postural adjustments during step initiation.Experimental brain research · 2024Article
- Functional Training and Dual-Task Training Improve the Executive Function of Older Women.Geriatrics (Basel, Switzerland) · 2023Article
- Cognitive interventions for healthy older adults: A systematic meta-review.International journal of clinical and health psychology : IJCHPArticle
Corrections and comments
PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.
Authors and funding
4 authors at 2 institutions in 1 country.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
Background: Cognitive functioning is dependent on working memory and a decline in working memory is the main cause of cognitive aging. Many studies have suggested that physical exercise or cognitive intervention can effectively improve working memory in the elderly. However, it is still unknown whether a combination of exercise and cognitive training (CECT) is more effective than either intervention alone. The present systematic review and meta-analysis were undertaken to evaluate the effect of CECT on working memory in the elderly. Methods: The review was registered in the International Prospective Systematic Review (PROSPERO, CRD42021290138). Systematic searches were conducted on Web of Science, Elsevier Science, PubMed and Google Scholar. The data were extracted according to the PICOS framework. Comprehensive meta-analysis (CMA) software was used to perform the meta-analysis, moderator analysis and publication bias testing. Results: The current meta-analysis included 21 randomized controlled trials (RCT). Results showed that CECT had a significantly greater impact on working memory in older adults compared to no intervention groups (SMD = 0.29, 95% CI [0.14-0.44], Conclusions: The CECT can effectively improve working memory of older adults, but the effect of CECT compared to single intervention needs to be further explored.
Indexed as
Identifiers
What OpenQuestion holds
Registered trials
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.