Effects of Physical Exercise on Executive Function in Adults with Depression: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Falonn Contreras-Osorio, Rodrigo Ramirez-Campillo, Enrique Cerda-Vega, Rodrigo Campos-Jara, Cristian Martínez-Salazar, Rafael E. Reigal, Antonio Hernández-Mendo, Lara Carneiro and Christian Campos-Jara ()
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Falonn Contreras-Osorio: Exercise and Rehabilitation Sciences Institute, Faculty of Rehabilitation Sciences, Universidad Andres Bello, Santiago 7591538, Chile
Rodrigo Ramirez-Campillo: Exercise and Rehabilitation Sciences Institute, School of Physical Therapy, Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, Universidad Andres Bello, Santiago 7591538, Chile
Enrique Cerda-Vega: Pedagogy in Physical Education and Health Career, Department of Health Science, School of Medicine, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago 7820436, Chile
Rodrigo Campos-Jara: Psychiatry Department, Hospital Mauricio Heyermann, Angol 4650207, Chile
Cristian Martínez-Salazar: Department of Physical Education, Sports, and Recreation, Pedagogy in Physical Education, School of Education and Social Sciences and Humanities, Universidad de La Frontera, Temuco 4780000, Chile
Rafael E. Reigal: Department of Social Psychology, Social Anthropology, Social Work and Social Services, Universidad de Málaga, 29071 Málaga, Spain
Antonio Hernández-Mendo: Department of Social Psychology, Social Anthropology, Social Work and Social Services, Universidad de Málaga, 29071 Málaga, Spain
Lara Carneiro: Physical Education Department, College of Education, United Arab Emirates University, Abu Dhabi 112612, United Arab Emirates
Christian Campos-Jara: Exercise and Rehabilitation Sciences Institute, Faculty of Rehabilitation Sciences, Universidad Andres Bello, Santiago 7591538, Chile

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 22, 1-22

Abstract: Executive function is among the most affected cognitive dimensions in depression. Physical exercise may improve executive function (e.g., working memory, inhibition, cognitive flexibility), although this is without consensus on adults with depression. Through this systematic review, we aim to elucidate the effects of physical exercise programs on executive functions in adults with depression. The literature search was performed in four relevant electronic databases, combining keywords and medical subject headings, from inception until September 2022. Controlled interventions, involving adults with depression, and reporting working memory, inhibition, and/or cognitive flexibility pre-post-intervention data, were considered includable. Results from meta-analyses included effect size (ES, i.e., Hedges’ g) values reported with 95% confidence intervals (95%CIs), with p set at ≤0.05. Seven studies were included, including 202 men and 457 women (age: 21.0–51.2 years; mild–moderate depression). For working memory, a small favoring effect was observed in the experimental groups compared with controls (ES = 0.33, 95%CI = 0.04–0.61; p = 0.026; I 2 = 64.9%). For inhibition, physical exercise had a small favoring non-significant effect compared with controls (ES = 0.28, 95%CI = −0.17–0.74; p = 0.222; I 2 = 72.4%). Compared with the control group, physical exercise had a trivial effect on cognitive flexibility (ES = 0.09, 95%CI = −0.21–0.39; p = 0.554; I 2 = 68.4%). In conclusion, physical exercise interventions may improve working memory behavioral measures in adults with mild-to-moderate depression when compared with active and passive control conditions. However, the reduced number of available high-quality studies precludes more lucid conclusions.

Keywords: executive function; inhibition; working memory; cognitive flexibility; mental processes; depressive disorder; neurocognitive disorders; exercise (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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