Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40911419›Full record

SynthesisThe Journal of frailty & aging2025

Benefits of physical activity on cognitive function in patients with neurocognitive disorders: A systematic review.

Théodore Decaix, Claire Bonnin, Karl Götze, Véronique François, Camille Petit, Clémentine Rivière, Sandrine Greffard, Emmanuel Cognat, Jacques Hugon, Claire Paquet and 2 more

Abstract readSystematic Review
In one paragraph

Synthesis in The Journal of frailty & aging, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 2 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
2citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
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

2 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Article
  2. Article
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

12 authors.

Théodore DecaixGeriatrics Department, Fernand Widal Lariboisière University Hospital, GHU APHP.Nord, 75010 Paris, France; Paris-Cité University, Inserm U1144, Paris, France. Electronic address: theodore.decaix@aphp.fr.
Claire BonninGeriatrics Department, Fernand Widal Lariboisière University Hospital, GHU APHP.Nord, 75010 Paris, France. Electronic address: claire.bonnin.87@gmail.com.
Karl GötzeParis-Cité University, Inserm U1144, Paris, France; Department of Geriatrics, Bichat Hospital (GHU AP-HP.Nord, Paris) Université Paris-Cité, 75018 Paris, France. Electronic address: karl.gotze@aphp.fr.
Véronique FrançoisGeriatrics Department, Fernand Widal Lariboisière University Hospital, GHU APHP.Nord, 75010 Paris, France. Electronic address: veronique.francois-fasille@aphp.fr.
Camille PetitGeriatrics Department, Fernand Widal Lariboisière University Hospital, GHU APHP.Nord, 75010 Paris, France. Electronic address: camille.petit@aphp.fr.
Clémentine RivièreGeriatrics Department, Fernand Widal Lariboisière University Hospital, GHU APHP.Nord, 75010 Paris, France. Electronic address: clementine.riviere@aphp.fr.
Sandrine GreffardGeriatrics Department, Fernand Widal Lariboisière University Hospital, GHU APHP.Nord, 75010 Paris, France. Electronic address: sandrine.greffard@aphp.fr.
Emmanuel CognatParis-Cité University, Inserm U1144, Paris, France; Cognitive Neurology Center, Fernand Widal Lariboisière University Hospital, GHU APHP.Nord, 75010 Paris, France. Electronic address: emmanuel.cognat@aphp.fr.
Jacques HugonParis-Cité University, Inserm U1144, Paris, France; Cognitive Neurology Center, Fernand Widal Lariboisière University Hospital, GHU APHP.Nord, 75010 Paris, France. Electronic address: jacques.hugon@inserm.fr.
Claire PaquetParis-Cité University, Inserm U1144, Paris, France; Cognitive Neurology Center, Fernand Widal Lariboisière University Hospital, GHU APHP.Nord, 75010 Paris, France. Electronic address: claire.paquet@aphp.fr.
Louise SindzingreGeriatrics Department, Fernand Widal Lariboisière University Hospital, GHU APHP.Nord, 75010 Paris, France. Electronic address: louise.sindzingre@aphp.fr.
Matthieu LilamandGeriatrics Department, Fernand Widal Lariboisière University Hospital, GHU APHP.Nord, 75010 Paris, France; Paris-Cité University, Inserm U1144, Paris, France; Cognitive Neurology Center, Fernand Widal Lariboisière University Hospital, GHU APHP.Nord, 75010 Paris, France. Electronic address: matthieu.lilamand@aphp.fr.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Neurocognitive disorders, particularly in older adults, significantly affect functional abilities and global health. Physical activity has emerged as a potential non-pharmacological intervention to improve cognitive performance in patients with neurodegenerative diseases. This review specifically addressed the issue of tailored physical activity interventions for individuals with various neurocognitive disorders. This literature review analyzed studies investigating the effects of physical activity on cognitive function in patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD), vascular cognitive impairment, Parkinson's disease, and Lewy body dementia. The studies were evaluated for methodological rigor, participant characteristics, types of physical activities, and cognitive outcomes. Of the 21 studies reviewed, 14 reported beneficial effects of physical exercise on cognitive function, particularly with aerobic activities. While most studies observed improvements in cognitive performance and physical functional capacity, results were inconsistent, and effect sizes were modest. Mechanisms proposed for cognitive improvement in AD included reductions in β-amyloid and tau protein burdens, improved glucose metabolism, and enhanced brain-derived neurotrophic factor levels. Specific improvements were noted in Parkinson's disease, with evidence suggesting mediation through dopamine pathways. Despite evidence of short-term benefits, significant variability exists among studies, highlighting the need for individualized exercise programs tailored to specific neurocognitive conditions. Physical activity stands as a cornerstone non-pharmacological intervention, essential for supporting cognitive health in individuals with neurodegenerative diseases. Further research is necessary to establish long-term effects and optimal exercise modalities, along with standardized evaluation criteria to assess the cognitive impacts of physical activity reliably.

Indexed as

CognitionExerciseExercise TherapyNeurocognitive DisordersAgedAlzheimer DiseaseCognitive DysfunctionHumansParkinson DiseaseCognitionCognitive declineNeurodegenerative diseasePhysical exercisePrevention

Identifiers

PMID40911419
PMCPMC12446212

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
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.