Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41034702›Full record

ReviewEuropean review of aging and physical activity : official journal of the European Group for Research into Elderly and Physical Activity2025

Effects of balance physical therapy with or without cognitive training in adults with cognitive and balance impairments : a systematic review.

Gulnaz Magauina, Michalis Tsoukatos, Christos Nikitas, Sofia Papadopoulou, Dimitris Kikidis, Nattawan Utoomprurkporn, Patcharaorn Limkitisupasin, Doris-Eva Bamiou

Abstract readReview
In one paragraph

Review in European review of aging and physical activity : official journal of the European Group for Research into Elderly and Physical Activity, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing 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

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

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

8 authors.

Gulnaz MagauinaFaculty of medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand.
Michalis TsoukatosNational and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece.
Christos NikitasNational and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece.
Sofia PapadopoulouNational and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece.
Dimitris KikidisNational and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece.
Nattawan UtoomprurkpornFaculty of medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand. nattawan.u@chula.ac.th.
Patcharaorn LimkitisupasinFaculty of medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand.
Doris-Eva BamiouUniversity College London, London, United Kingdom.

Funding

European Union's Horizon Europe Research and Innovation Programme 101057747
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundCognitive impairments, including MCI and dementia, significantly heighten fall risk due to motor dysfunction and balance deficits. Although physical activity is essential for dementia prevention, older adults often struggle with balance issues, fear of falling, and reduced mobility. This study investigated the impact of balance training, alone or combined with cognitive exercises, on functional balance and cognitive performance in individuals with cognitive impairments.

methodsA comprehensive literature search was conducted across three electronic databases to identify peer-reviewed studies written in English that examined the effects of balance-oriented physical therapy, either alone or in combination with cognitive training, on individuals with cognitive or concurrent cognitive and balance impairments. The outcomes of interest included balance and cognitive function. The risk of bias was evaluated independently by two reviewers using the ROB-1 tool. The effectiveness of the intervention was analyzed using RevMan software.

resultsThis systematic review found that stand-alone physical exercise significantly improved postural stability in 15 out of 24 studies and enhanced cognitive function in 5 out of 25 studies. Furthermore, the integration of cognitive training alongside physical exercise demonstrated additional benefits in improving balance and cognition in 7 out of 11 studies. These findings suggest that such interventions may be beneficial for older adults with cognitive impairments, warranting further research to establish definitive conclusions.

conclusionThis systematic review emphasizes the potential benefits of physical balance exercises, often combined with cognitive training, in improving balance, cognitive function, and certain aspects of quality of life among individuals with cognitive impairment.

Indexed as

And alzheimer’s diseaseBalance exercisesBalance physiotherapyBalance trainingCognitive disordersCognitive dysfunctionCognitive exercisesCognitive impairmentCognitive trainingDementiaMild cognitive impairment (MCI)

Identifiers

PMID41034702
PMCPMC12487321

What OpenQuestion holds

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Registered trials

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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.