Abstract Number: Esoc2026a1203 the Effect of Physical Exercise and Cognition-orientated Interventions on Post-stroke Cognitive Function: an Overview of Reviews
Year: 2026
Type: conference-abstract
Abstract: Background and aims Since being named as a top research priority in 2012, many reviews have investigated the efficacy of interventions for post-stroke cognitive impairment. Exercise and cognition-orientated interventions have shown promise; however, findings from reviews are conflicting. This overview of reviews aimed to provide a comprehensive overview of systematic review findings on exercise and/or cognition-orientated interventions, and assess their certainty of evidence. Methods Ten databases were searched for systematic reviews that investigated the effect of exercise and/or cognition-orientated interventions on cognitive function in adults post-stroke. Screening, data extraction, and quality appraisal were conducted in duplicate. Methodological quality was assessed using AMSTAR-2, certainty of evidence with GRADE, and primary study overlap using the GROOVE tool. Results were grouped by intervention type (cognition-orientated, exercise, and combined) and the cognitive domain they assessed. Results Thirty studies were included in the overview, of which 26 were rated as critically low methodological quality, one as low, and three as high. Eighty-two meta-analyses were captured - four provided moderate certainty evidence, 15 low, and 63 very low. Moderate certainty evidence supported the use of cognition-orientated interventions for global cognitive function, attention, and language. Low certainty evidence supported the use of: cognition-orientated interventions for executive function and memory; and combined interventions for executive function and memory. Conclusions Cognition-orientated interventions likely contribute to improved global cognitive function, attention, and language. It is unclear if exercise alone contributes to improved cognitive function in any domain. Combined interventions may improve executive function and attention. Conflict of interest All authors: nothing to disclose.
Source: European Stroke Journal
Authors: James Smith, Daniel Allen, Ewan Dean, George Tisdall, Annabel Riding, Philip Nagy, David Tod, Carol Holland, Hannah Jarvis
Institution: Lancaster University
Language: English
Subfield: Rehabilitation
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
Estimated APC paid: $4,400
OpenAlex ID: W7160447007
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