Key result
Physical exercise improves working memory with a modest 0.33 effect size in mild-to-moderate depression.
Why the study?
Executive function is frequently affected in depression and physical exercise may improve it, but consensus is lacking regarding adults with depression.
Does physical exercise improve executive function in adults with depression?
Meta-Analysis (n=659)
Does physical exercise improve executive function in adults with depression?
Physical exercise interventions may improve working memory in adults with mild-to-moderate depression, though evidence is limited by the small number of high-quality studies.
May support exercise for working memory in mild-to-moderate depression; extends cognitive benefit data but limited by few high-quality studies.
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; I2 = 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; I2 = 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; I2 = 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.
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Contreras-Osorio et al. (2022) conducted a meta-analysis in Depression (n=659). Physical exercise vs. Active and passive control conditions was evaluated on Working memory (ES 0.33, 95% CI 0.04-0.61, p=0.026). Physical exercise interventions produced a small but significant improvement in working memory (ES 0.33) in adults with mild-to-moderate depression compared with control conditions.
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