Exercise and cognition: modest, inconsistent findings in neurocognitive disorders
A review found short-term cognitive benefits in many studies, but results varied across conditions and exercise approaches.
Based on the published abstract. The full paper may contain additional methods, results and limitations.
The 30-second takeaway
Many reviewed studies reported better cognitive performance following physical activity, especially aerobic activity, but the effects were modest and inconsistent. The findings concern people with diagnosed neurocognitive disorders. They do not establish lasting cognitive improvement or identify an exercise approach that works reliably across the different conditions included in this review.
The abstract gives no pooled effect estimate, detailed comparison groups or study durations. Variation among studies and uncertainty about long-term effects limit conclusions about the size and persistence of cognitive changes.
What researchers found
Reported beneficial cognitive effects
A count of studies, not a pooled treatment effect; comparison groups and individual assessment timeframes were not reported in the abstract.
Different conditions and activities
The review examined participant characteristics, exercise types, study methods and cognitive outcomes. Its mixed findings make the condition and intervention relevant to interpretation; the overall summary cannot establish the same result for every patient group.
Mechanisms remain proposals
The authors discuss possible biological explanations, including changes in brain proteins, metabolism and dopamine pathways. These proposed mechanisms do not themselves demonstrate sustained cognitive benefit, and the review calls for more consistent ways to evaluate outcomes.
The original publication
Benefits of physical activity on cognitive function in patients with neurocognitive disorders: A systematic review.
Decaix T, Bonnin C, Götze K et al.
J Frailty Aging · 2025
- PubMed ID
- 40911419
- Record checked
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