AUTHOR=Sun Guangyao , Ding Xingyi , Ma Hongtao , Zheng Zhong 

TITLE=Impact of exercise intervention on depression, anxiety, sleep and quality of life in patients with cognitive impairment: a systematic review and network meta-analysis

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Psychiatry

VOLUME=Volume 16 - 2025

YEAR=2025

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/psychiatry/articles/10.3389/fpsyt.2025.1666157

DOI=10.3389/fpsyt.2025.1666157

ISSN=1664-0640

ABSTRACT=BackgroundExercise, as a non-pharmacological intervention, demonstrates considerable potential for improving depression, anxiety, sleep, and quality of life (QoL) in patients with cognitive impairment. However, the optimal exercise modality remains unclear. This study aimed to evaluate and rank the efficacy of exercise types on these outcomes in patients with cognitive impairment.MethodsA systematic search of PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, and Cochrane Library was conducted to identify studies published between September 2014 and September 2024. Included studies were randomized controlled trials assessing the impact of exercise on depression, anxiety, sleep, and QoL in cognitively impaired individuals. Depression served as the primary outcome, with anxiety, sleep, and QoL as secondary outcomes. All statistical analyses, including pairwise and network meta-analyses, were performed using R version 4.4.1.ResultsForty studies involving 2,937 participants were included. Exergaming demonstrated superior effectiveness in reducing depression (SMD = −12.52, 95% CrI: −20.6 to −4.53) and anxiety (SMD = −12.49, 95% CrI: −31.27 to 5.98). Multicomponent exercise (ME) significantly reduced depression (SMD = −8.01, 95% CrI: −11.15 to −3.59), while mind-body exercise (MBE) improved quality of life (SMD = 12.61, 95% CrI: 0.73 to 32.77).ConclusionExergaming proved most effective for reducing depression and anxiety in individuals with cognitive impairment. Multicomponent exercise showed substantial benefits for mood regulation, while mind-body exercise was particularly effective for enhancing QoL.Systematic review registrationhttps://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/view/CRD42024607193, identifier CRD42024607193.