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. 2025 Oct 1;22:16. doi: 10.1186/s11556-025-00383-w

Table 1.

Characteristics of included studies

Study(Year and location) Study Design Population
Diagnosis
Sample size, N of participants in each group, Female (n,%). Mean age Intervention Group (IG) Control Group (CG) Duration of intervention

deOliveiraSilva, 2019,

Brazil

[19]

RCT

MCI

AD

N = 46

MCI:

IG = 7 (6, 85.71%)

CG = 12 (5, 41.66%)

AD:

IG = 13 (5, 38.46%)

CG = 14 (11, 78.57%)

MCI:

IG = 71.85 ± 5.69

CG = 78.20 ± 5.26

AD:

IG = 81.22 ± 8.88

CG = 77.54 ± 8.05

Multimodal physical training, including aerobic exercises, strength, balance, and stretching (60 min/session; 2 sessions/week) Clinical follow-up without any physical training 12 weeks

LawLLF, 2022,

China

[20]

RCT MCI

N = 145

FTE = 34 (23, 67.6%)

ET = 37 (21, 56.8%)

CT = 38 (25, 65.8%)

WC = 36 (24, 66.7%)

FTE = 73.21 ± 7.27

ET = 77.35 ± 6.66

CT = 76.32 ± 7.21

WC = 74.14 ± 7.53

FTE group: received FTE training for 8 weeks, facilitated by a trained occupational therapist (12 sessions,60-min/session, 4–6/group)

CT group: received an existing computer-based CT of attention, memory, executive function and visual perceptual function (12 sessions, 60-min/session, 4–6/group)

ET group: exercises facilitated by an occupational therapist and an assistant for 8 weeks.(12 sessions,60 min/session, 4–6/group)

WC group: normal activities and exercise practice during the 8-weeks period 8 weeks

Lü, 2016,

China

[21]

RCT MCI

N = 45

IG = 22 (16, 72.7%)

CG = 23 (16, 69.6%)

IG = 69.00 ± 3.83

CG = 70.43 ± 5.53

Intervention group (DTG): Momentum-based dumbbell training (60 min/session, 3 sessions/week) A regular lifestyle routine without starting any new exercise activities. 12 weeks

Casas-HerreroÁ, 2022,

Spain

[22]

RCT MCI

N = 188

IG = 88 (63, 71.6%)

CG = 100 (69, 69.0%)

IG = 84.2 ± 4.8

CG = 84.0 ± 4.8

Vivifrail multicomponent exercise programme (resistance/power, balance, flexibility and cardiovascular endurance exercises) (5 sessions/week) Usual care 12 weeks

Padala, 2017,

USA

[23]

RCT AD

N = 30

IG = 15 (5, 33.3%)

CG = 15 (6, 40.0%)

IG = 72.1 ± 5.3

CG = 73.9 ± 7.1

Wii-Fit exercise program (yoga, strength training, aerobics, balance games) (30 min/session, 5 sessions/week) Walking program (30 min/session, 5 sessions/week) 8 weeks

Suttanon, 2013,

Thailand

[24]

RCT AD

N = 40

IG = 19 (13, 68.4%)

CG = 21 (12, 57.1%)

IG = 83.42 ± 5.10

CG = 80.52 ± 6.01

The Otago Program home based exercise program 6 months Education program (same number of home visits and phone calls) 24 weeks

Fogarty, 2016,

UK,

Canda

[25]

RCT MCI

N = 40

IG = 22 (12, 54.5%)

CG = 18 (9, 50.0%)

IG = 71.55 ± 9.33

CG = 72.61 ± 5.78

Memory Intervention Program (MIP) and Taoist Tai Chi (TTC) training twice weekly for 90 min at a time for 10 weeks. (90 min/session, 2 sessions/week) Memory Intervention Program (MIP) 8 sessions, with 6 sessions focusing on both education about lifestyle factors that impact memory and teaching of memory strategies and two follow-up sessions. 10 weeks

Yoon, 2018

Korea

[26]

RCT Cognitive frailty

N = 43

IG = 20 (14, 70.0%)

CG = 23 (16, 69.6%)

IG = 73.82 ± 4.37

CG = 74.03 ± 4.27

A high-speed resistance training program. Independent exercise. (60 min/session, 3 sessions/week) Routine daily activities and performed static and dynamic stretching (using elastic exercise band) (60 min/session, 2 sessions/week) 16 weeks

Callisaya, 2021

Australia

[27]

RCT MCI

N = 93

IG = 44 (27, 61.4%)

CG = 49 (27, 55.1%)

IG = 72.9 ± 7.2

CG = 72.8 ± 6.9

Participants received an iPad with the StandingTall program. The program built to a total of 2 h of balance exercises per week, with cognitive dual-tasking exercises added in week 8. [40–2 h/week (from 40 min in weeks 1 and 2, to 120 min from week 9 onwards)] Health information fact sheets via post on topics such as eyesight, diet, footwear and physical activity for the duration of the trial. 6 months

Uysalİ, 2023,

Turkey

[28]

RCT MCI

N = 48

AG = 12 (2, 16.67%)

DG = 12 (2, 16.67%)

ADG = 12 (2, 16.67%)

CG = 12 (2, 16.67%)

AG = 73.5 ± 3.21

DG = 74.08 ± 7.67

ADG = 73.25 ± 2.01

CG = 74.08 ± 7.82

Group 1: Aerobic exercise training combined with lower limb strengthening group (AG), (3 sessions/week)

Group 2: Dual-task training combined with lower limb strengthening group (DG), (3 sessions/week)

Group 3: Aerobic exercise training combined with dual-task training and lower limb strengthening group (ADG) (3 sessions/week)

Only lower limb strengthening group (CG). (3 sessions/week) 12 weeks

Li, 2021,

USA

[29]

RCT MCI

N = 30

IG = 15 (9, 60.0%)

CG = 15 (12, 80.0%)

IG = 76.13 ± 6.2

CG = 76.20 ± 6.3

Dual-task Tai Ji Quan training program based on Tai Ji Quan: Moving for Better Balance (60 min/session, 2 sessions/week) Stretching exercises 24 weeks

Makizako, 2012,

Japan

[30]

RCT aMCI

N = 50

IG = 25 (12, 48.0%)

CG = 25 (11, 44.0%)

IG = 75.3 ± 7.5

CG = 76.8 ± 6.8

The six-month-long, multicomponent exercise program, with combinations of aerobic exercise, muscle strength training and postural balance retraining. (90 min/session, 2 sessions/week) Education classes during the study period 24 weeks

Kovács, 2013,

Hungary

[31]

RCT CI

N = 86

IG = 43 (36, 83.0%)

CG = 43 (34, 79.0%)

IG = 76.39 ± 9.63

CG = 79.29 ± 12.67

The multimodal exercise program twice a week for 12 months Usual care 12 months

Schwenk, 2016,

USA

[32]

RCT aMCI

N = 22

IG = 12 (7, 58.3%)

CG = 10 (5, 50.0%)

IG = 77.8 ± 6.9

CG = 79.0 ± 10.4

Sensor-based balance training program (45 min/session, 2 sessions/week) No training 4 weeks

Hagovská, 2016,

Slovak Republic

[33]

RCT MCI

N = 80

IG = 40 (18, 45.0%)

CG = 40 (21, 52.0%)

IG = 68.0 ± 4.4

CG = 65.9 ± 6.2

Cogni-Plus, from SCHUHFRIED GmbH, Austria, 10 weeks (30 min/session, 7 sessions/week) Dynamic balance training, 10 weeks (30 min/session, 7 sessions/week) 10 weeks

Hauer, 2017

Germany

[34]

RCT CI

N = 34

IG = 17 (11, 65.0%)

CG = 17 (12, 71.0%)

IG = 81.4 ± 6.6

CG = 83.3 ± 5.7

Standardized 6-week home training. Usual care 6 weeks

Nyman, 2019,

UK

[35]

RCT Dementia

N = 85

IG = 42 (18, 43.0%)

CG = 43 (16, 37.0%)

IG = 77.9 ± 8.3

CG = 78.2 ± 7.5

Tai Chi intervention: 3 components: (1) Tai Chi classes, (2) home-based Tai Chi practice, and (3) behaviour change techniques (90 min/session, 1 sessions/week) Usual care 20 weeks

Lipardo, 2020,

China

[36]

RCT MCI

N = 92

PACT = 23 (16, 70%)

PT = 23 (22, 96%)

CT = 23 (28, 78%)

WG = 23 (17, 74%)

PACT = 67 ± 8.0

PT = 73 ± 7.0

CT = 68 ± 7.5

WG = 68 ± 8.5

Group 1: (PACT) physical and cognitive training. (60–90 min/session, 1–3 sessions/week)

Group 2: (PT) physical training. (60–90 min/session, 1–3 sessions/week)

Group 3: (CT) cognitive training. (60–90 min/session, 1–3 sessions/week)

Control: Group 4: (WG) waitlist group 12 weeks

Gregory, 2016,

Canada

[37]

RCT MCI

N = 44

IG = 23 (15, 65.2%)

CG = 21 (15, 71.4%)

IG = 72.6 ± 7.4

CG = 74.5 ± 7.0

(EDT) Group-based exercise + Dual Task training. (60–75 min/session, 2–3 sessions/week) (EO) Exercise only. (60–75 min/session, 2–3 sessions/week) 26 weeks

LangoniCDS, 2019,

Brazil

[38]

RCT MCI

N = 52

IG = 26 (20, 76.9%)

CG = 26 (20, 76.9%)

IG = 72.6 ± 7.8

CG = 71.9 ± 7.9

Twice weekly sessions of group exercises, with volume and intensity regularly adjusted. (60 min/session, 2 sessions/week) Usual life routine. 24 weeks

Hagovská, 2016,

Slovak Republic

[39]

RCT MCI

N = 80

IG = 40 (18, 45%)

CG = 40 (21, 52%)

IG = 68.2 ± 6.7

CG = 65.7 ± 5.6

CogniPlus training program from SHUFRIED GmbH Company in Austria: CogniPlus 20 training sessions, 2 sessions/week), physical training (30 min/session, 7 sessions/week) Motor training (30 min/session, 7 sessions/week) 10 weeks

Yoon, 2017,

Korea

[40]

RCT MCI

N = 30

HSPT = 14 (14, 100%)

LSST = 9 (9, 100%)

CON = 7 (7, 100%)

HSPT = 75.0 ± 3.46

LSST = 76.0 ± 3.94

CON = 78.0 ± 2.77

Group 1: (HSPT) Elastic bandbased high-speed power training (60 min/session, 2 sessions/week)

Group 2: (LSST) Low-speed strength training (60 min/session, 2 sessions/week)

Group 3: (CON) Out balance and tone routines 12 weeks

Ullrich, 2022,

Germany

[41]

RCT CI

N = 118

IG = 63 (48, 76.2%)

CG = 55 (42, 76.4%)

IG = 82.2 ± 5.8

CG = 82.4 ± 6.2

Home-based training program (7 sessions/week) A training manual 12 weeks

Dawson, 2019,

USA

[42]

RCT Dementia

N = 23

IG = 13 (6, 46.2%)

CG = 10 (7, 70%)

IG = 73.8 ± 8.5

CG = 74.0 ± 10.4

Moderate-intensity home-based functional exercise program, consisting of strength and balance exercises. (2 sessions/week) Continuation of current levels of activity. 12 weeks

Suzuki, 2012,

Japan,

[43]

RCT aMCI

N = 50

IG = 25 (12, 48%)

CG = 25 (11, 44%)

IG = 75.3 ± 7.5

CG = 76.8 ± 6.8

Multicomponent exercise under the supervision of physiotherapists (90 min/session, 2 sessions/week) Education control group 12 months

AD Alzheimer Disease, ADGAerobic Exercise Training Combined with Dual-Task Training, AG Aerobic Exercise Group, aMCI Amnestic Mild Cognitive Impairment, CG Control Group, CI Cognitive Impairment, CON Control Group, CT Cognitive Training, DG Dual-Task Training Group, DTG Dumbbell Training Groupm, ET Exercise Training, FTE Functional Task Exercise, HSPT High-Speed Power Training, IG Intervention Group, LSST Low-Speed Strength Training, MCI Mild Cognitive Impairment, PACT Physical and Cognitive Training, PT Physical Training, RCT Randomized Controlled Trial, WC Wait-List Control