Meta-analysis of exercise for post-stroke cognitive impairment shows cognitive and motor benefits
Photo by KOMMERS / Unsplash
Key Takeaway
Consider exercise for post-stroke cognitive impairment, as meta-analysis shows cognitive and motor benefits.
This is a systematic review and meta-analysis examining the effects of exercise on patients with post-stroke cognitive impairment. The review synthesized data from a total sample of 4450 patients. The authors found that exercise interventions, including aerobic exercise, cognitive-motor dual-tasking, functional motor training, and task-based interventions, were associated with improvements in cognitive function, with a larger effect size for combined aerobic and task-based approaches (SMD = 1.18, 95% CI 0.68 to 1.68). The meta-analysis also reported improvements in motor function (MD = 13.98, 95% CI 10.06 to 17.89) and activities of daily living (MD = 16.78, 95% CI 12.97 to 20.58). Additionally, the review noted significant increases in serum levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), glutathione (GSH), and neuron-specific enolase (NSE), and a notable decrease in interleukin-6 (IL-6). The authors did not report adverse events, follow-up duration, or study settings. Limitations were not detailed in the provided data. The review provides evidence-based guidance for early rehabilitation interventions, but the findings should be interpreted with caution due to the lack of reported safety data and other methodological details.
More on post-stroke cognitive impairment
Narrative Review Explores Acupuncture for Post-Stroke Cognitive Impairment via Mitochondrial Mechanisms
Stroke Survivors Gain Mental Clarity Through Acupuncture Treatment
This narrative review examines the potential role of acupuncture in treating post-stroke cognitive impairment (PSCI) through modulation of m…
• Acupuncture fixes brain cell energy factories to fight memory loss • Helps stroke patients struggling with confusion and forgetfulness • H…
Prospective cohort study validates nomograms for post-stroke cognitive impairment risk in acute ischemic stroke patients
Stroke survivors with high cholesterol and brain shrinkage face higher cognitive risk
This prospective cohort study developed and validated standard-criteria and age-corrected nomograms to predict post-stroke cognitive impairm…
New tools predict memory and thinking problems in stroke patients based on age, cholesterol, and brain scan signs found six months after the…
Cohort study compares homocysteine and uric acid levels in Parkinson's disease-related and post-stroke cognitive impairment
Parkinson's patients show unique blood markers that differ from stroke survivors
This cohort study included 120 patients with cognitive impairment admitted to the Department of Neurology at Yangjiang Hospital of Tradition…
New blood tests reveal unique chemical differences between Parkinson's and stroke patients, offering a clearer path to accurate diagnosis.
Protocol for adjunctive PC6 magnetic stimulation with rTMS in post-stroke cognitive impairment patients
A Simple Wrist Stimulator Could Sharpen Your Mind After a Stroke
This randomized controlled trial protocol outlines a study of 105 patients with post-stroke cognitive impairment (PSCI).
Pairing brain stimulation with a wrist device may boost memory and thinking better than brain stimulation alone for stroke survivors.
View Original Abstract ↓
INTRODUCTION: Exercise may improve cognitive function in stroke survivors. However, no study has yet examined the most effective exercise modalities and associated changes in biomarkers. This study aims to investigate the effects of different exercise types on cognitive function and biomarker trends, providing evidence-based guidance for early rehabilitation interventions.
METHODS: Data from randomized controlled trials were collected from January 1, 2000, to March 6, 2025, using medical subject headings combined with free-text terms from PubMed, Cochrane Library, Embase, Wanfang, CNKI, CSTJ, and the China Medical Information Database. The Cochrane Risk of Bias Tool was used to assess the quality of the studies. Review Manager version 5.4.1 was employed to conduct all statistical syntheses.
RESULTS: The forty-four original studies involving 4,450 patients with PSCI(Post-stroke cognitive impairment) were analyzed. Subgroup analysis by exercise intervention type revealed larger effect sizes when combining aerobic exercise with other task-based interventions(cognitive-motor dual-tasking and functional motor training) [SMD = 1.18, 95% CI (0.68, 1.68)]. Patients also showed improvements in motor function [MD = 13.98, 95% CI (10.06, 17.89)] and activities of daily living [MD = 16.78, 95% CI (12.97, 20.58)]. Concerning molecular biomarkers, serum levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), glutathione (GSH), and neuron-specific enolase (NSE) increased significantly, whereas interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels decreased notably in PSCI patients following exercise therapy.
CONCLUSION: Structured exercise effectively improves cognitive recovery, motor skills, and daily functioning in patients with PSCI. These clinical gains are accompanied by favorable peripheral biomarker modulations, characterized by significantly increased serum BDNF and GSH, as well as markedly decreased IL-6 levels.
Intravenous tenecteplase improves functional outcomes but increases hemorrhage risk in non-large vessel occlusion acute ischemic stroke
Tenecteplase improves stroke recovery but increases bleeding risk in late treatment window
Related in Neurology
Observational study of autonomic responses in 51 dyads shows lower accuracy than self-report
Self-Reports Best Guess Conversation Mood Over Body Signals
This observational study evaluated multiple autonomic nervous system responses combined with pattern recognition algorithms in 51 dyads. Acc…
In this exploratory study, self-report questionnaires outperformed body signals and human review for classifying conversation mood.
IV tenecteplase beyond 4.5 hours shows modest benefit but higher bleeding risk in acute ischemic stroke patients
Tenecteplase shows modest benefit for late stroke treatment
A meta-analysis of 4000 adults treated with IV tenecteplase beyond 4.5 hours or for wake-up strokes found modest gains in functional recover…
A review of 4,000 adults found tenecteplase slightly improved recovery after stroke, but also raised bleeding risk, guiding careful use in s…
Ibudilast metabolomics in progressive multiple sclerosis brain atrophy trial
Metabolite levels linked to slower brain shrinkage in MS patients
This randomized trial in 244 participants with progressive multiple sclerosis evaluated oral ibudilast versus placebo over 96 weeks. Higher …
Higher baseline levels of certain metabolites were associated with slower brain shrinkage in people with progressive multiple sclerosis taki…
FDA Approves Fintepla (fenfluramine) for Seizures in Dravet and Lennox-Gastaut Syndromes
FDA approves new drug Fintepla for two rare seizure disorders.
The FDA approved Fintepla (fenfluramine) for seizures associated with Dravet syndrome and Lennox-Gastaut syndrome in patients aged 2 years a…
The FDA approved Fintepla (fenfluramine) to treat seizures in people aged 2 and older with Dravet syndrome or Lennox-Gastaut syndrome. This …
From Other Specialties
Clobetasol ophthalmic nanoemulsion reduces anterior chamber cells and pain after cataract surgery
Clobetasol drops reduce eye inflammation and pain after cataract surgery
In this phase 3 RCT of 426 patients with post-cataract surgery inflammation, clobetasol propionate ophthalmic nanoemulsion 0.05% four times …
A Phase 3 trial found clobetasol drops significantly reduced eye inflammation and pain compared to placebo in patients after cataract surger…
Narrative review on PCSK9 inhibitors for familial hypercholesterolemia
Review explores PCSK9 inhibitors for familial hypercholesterolemia
This narrative review synthesizes evidence on PCSK9 inhibitors, including evolocumab, for familial hypercholesterolemia. The authors discuss…
This review looks at PCSK9 inhibitors like evolocumab for people with familial hypercholesterolemia. It discusses how these drugs work and t…
Wearable activity tracker adherence associated with reduced body fat in a 12-month randomized trial
Wearable tracker use linked to lower body fat in overweight adults
This randomized controlled trial examined 502 participants with a mean age of 45 years and mean BMI of 33.7 kg/m. The study assessed associa…
Wearable activity trackers linked to lower body fat in overweight adults after one year. This trial examined how consistent movement goals a…
Systematic review and meta-analysis finds roxadustat improves hemoglobin in peritoneal dialysis patients
Roxadustat Boosts Hemoglobin in Peritoneal Dialysis Patients
This systematic review and meta-analysis of 607 patients receiving peritoneal dialysis found that roxadustat significantly increased hemoglo…
A review of 607 patients on peritoneal dialysis finds roxadustat raises hemoglobin and iron levels while lowering hepcidin.