SynthesisFrontiers in neurology2025
Effects of different physical activity interventions on executive function in older adults with dementia: a systematic review and network meta-analysis.
Synthesis in Frontiers in neurology, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.
What it found
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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
1 citing paper in PubMed.
- Symptomatic treatment for Alzheimer disease: current evidence and future directions.Nature reviews. Neurology · 2026Review
Corrections and comments
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Authors and funding
9 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
Background: The executive function impairments in older adults with dementia have profound effects on their daily lives, families, and society. Physical activity has gained recognition as a complementary treatment for enhancing executive function in elderly individuals with dementia. Numerous studies have explored the correlation between physical activity and the enhancement of executive functions in dementia. Nevertheless, there remains a lack of comprehensive, systematic evidence that addresses crucial issues in identifying the most effective physical activity interventions. The primary objective of this study is to evaluate and rank different physical activity intervention strategies, offering valuable therapeutic guidance for improving executive function in older adults with dementia. Methods: We conducted a systematic search across four databases-PubMed, the Cochrane Library, Embase, and Web of Science-to locate randomized controlled trials (RCTs) evaluating the effect of physical activity interventions on executive function in individuals diagnosed with dementia. The search covered the period from January 2000 to May 2025. Two independent researchers performed the literature screening, data extraction, and quality assessment. A network meta-analysis was conducted using Stata 15.1. Results: A total of 24 studies were included in the analysis. The results indicated that resistance exercise ranked first in enhancing executive function among older adults with dementia, with the highest Surface Under the Cumulative Ranking Curve (SUCRA) (89.2%) and PrBest (59.9%) values. This was followed by mind-body exercises, with SUCRA (71.4%) and PrBest (18.9%), and aerobic exercise ranked third with SUCRA (60.0%) and PrBest (4.2%). Conclusion: Our findings suggest that both resistance exercise and mind-body exercise are likely more effective in enhancing executive function in older adults with dementia. Future studies should aim to design personalized physical activity programs that consider genetic factors, phenotypic characteristics, and cognitive baselines. Observing the long-term therapeutic effect and investigating the Intervention Mechanism, such as the regulation of brain-derived neurotrophic factor and the connectivity of the prefrontal cortex, to further optimize strategies for enhancing executive function in older adults with dementia. Systematic review registration: https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/, identifier CRD420251040158.
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