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The effect of physical activity on cognitive function after stroke: a systematic review

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  14 October 2011

Toby B. Cumming ,
Karen Tyedin ,
Leonid Churilov ,
Meg E. Morris  and
Julie Bernhardt
Toby B. Cumming*
Affiliation:
Stroke Division, Florey Neuroscience Institutes, Melbourne, Australia
Karen Tyedin
Affiliation:
Stroke Division, Florey Neuroscience Institutes, Melbourne, Australia
Leonid Churilov
Affiliation:
Stroke Division, Florey Neuroscience Institutes, Melbourne, Australia
Meg E. Morris
Affiliation:
School of Health Sciences and Department of Physiotherapy, The University of Melbourne, Australia
Julie Bernhardt
Affiliation:
Stroke Division, Florey Neuroscience Institutes, Melbourne, Australia School of Physiotherapy, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Australia
*
Correspondence should be addressed to: Dr Toby Cumming, Florey Neuroscience Institutes, 245 Burgundy St, Heidelberg Vic 3084, Australia. Phone: +61 3 9035 7152; Fax: +61 3 9496 2251. Email: [email protected].
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Abstract

Background: Research in both humans and animals indicates that physical activity can enhance cognitive activity, but whether this is true in patients with stroke is largely unknown. We aimed to evaluate the relationship between increased physical activity after stroke and cognitive performance.

Methods: A systematic review was conducted of MEDLINE, EMBASE, PsycINFO and other electronic databases. All randomized controlled trials and controlled clinical studies that evaluated the effect of physical activity or exercise on cognitive function in stroke were included. Study quality was assessed using four criteria concerning sources of bias (use of randomization, allocation concealment, blinding of outcome assessment, whether all patients were accounted for in outcome data).

Results: The literature search (first run in 2008, updated in 2011) yielded 12 studies that satisfied inclusion criteria. Exercise interventions were heterogeneous; some studies compared different intensities of movement rehabilitation, others included a specific exercise program. Cognitive function was rarely the primary outcome measure, and cognitive assessment tools used were generally suboptimal. Nine studies had sufficient data to be included in a meta-analysis, which indicated a significant benefit of intervention over control (SMD = 0.20, 95% CI: 0.04–0.36; z = 2.43, p = 0.015). Studies that met all four quality criteria reported smaller treatment benefit than studies that did not.

Conclusions: There is some evidence that increased physical activity after stroke enhances cognitive performance. The pool of studies identified, however, was small and methodological shortcomings were widespread.

Keywords

cerebrovascular diseaseexercisephysical therapyneuropsychologycognition
Type
Review Article
Information
International Psychogeriatrics , Volume 24 , Issue 4 , April 2012 , pp. 557 - 567
Copyright
Copyright © International Psychogeriatric Association 2011

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