The effects of traditional mind-body exercises on cognitive function in neurodegenerative diseases or prodromal cognitive decline: a meta-analysis.

2026-02-11
Frontiers in public health 14
- Xin Liu
- Cai Cui
- Jiacan Lv
- Yinhang Zhang

PubMed: 41756081
DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2026.1735606

Study Design

Type: Meta-Analysis
Population: adults with AD and PD, including those at prodromal stages, such as MCI and SCD
Methods: Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were published until October 19, 2025, as determined by searching PubMed, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, and Embase

Objective

The meta-analysis aimed to systematically assess the influence of traditional mind-body exercise (TMBE), including taichi, baduanjin, wuqinxi, and yoga, on cognitive functioning and related cognitive decline for patients with neurodegenerative diseases (NDDs) or Prodromal Cognitive Decline.

Methods

Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were published until October 19, 2025, as determined by searching PubMed, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, and Embase. The study population included adults with AD and PD, including those at prodromal stages, such as MCI and SCD. The interventions were a TMBE group and a control group. The primary outcome was overall cognitive functioning score, which was measured using the MMSE or MoCA, and secondary outcomes included executive function, memory, attention and language. Data were analyzed using random effects models and quality assessed with the Cochrane Risk of Bias Tool.

Results

Twenty-one RCTs were included, with the total sample size varying according to outcome metrics. TMBE showed significant improvement in overall cognitive functioning (MMSE: MD = 0.65, 95% CI: 0.20 to 1.09, p = 0.004; MoCA: MD = 0.87, 95% CI: 0.46 to 1.29, p = 0.001). Significant differences were seen in executive function (e.g., digit reversal: MD = 0.24, 95% CI: 0.05 to 0.44, p = 0.013; TMT-B: MD = -1.18, 95% CI: -1.70 to -0.67, p < 0.001), verbal fluency (MD = 0.36, 95% CI: 0.14-0.57, p = 0.001), and significant benefits were also observed in specific subgroups with respect to long-term delayed recall (e.g., mild dementia: MD = 1.35, 95% CI: 0.81-1.88, p < 0.001). Attention improvement effects were generally positive but varied by assessment tool. Moderate to high heterogeneity existed for some of the outcome indicators, but this tended to be resolved after sensitivity analyses. The degree of publication bias was low.

Conclusion

TMBE has demonstrated the ability to contribute to improvement of overall and specific cognitive functions in individuals diagnosed with NDDs or Prodromal Cognitive Decline. These trainings offer a promising non-pharmacological intervention strategy that is safe, reliable, and multi-targeted to improve cognitive impairment in this population.

Systematic review registration

PROSPERO - International prospective register of systematic reviews Unique identifier: CRD420251106629, https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?ID=CRD420251106629.