Citation

Vanderbeken I, Kerckhofs E. NeuroRehabilitation 2016; 40(1): 33-48.

Affiliation

Psychology and Educational Sciences, Vrije Universiteit, Brussels, Belgium.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2016, IOS Press)

DOI

10.3233/NRE-161388

PMID

27814304

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether physical exercise enhances cognition following TBI or stroke. DATA SOURCES: Studies were identified through searches of PubMed, ScienceDirect and the reference lists of papers that were included for full-text evaluation. Medical subject headings from three concepts, i.e. brain injury, physical exercise and cognition, were used to incorporate related search terms. STUDY SELECTION: Included were all trials published in English that assessed cognition before and after an exercise intervention in human adults with TBI or stroke. Nine randomized and two non-randomized controlled trials, as well as three single group pre-post studies were included. DATA EXTRACTION: Relevant data concerning the methods and results of the included studies were extracted.

METHODological quality of the RCT's was evaluated using the PEDro scale. Non-randomized trials were assessed using the Downs and Black checklist. DATA SYNTHESIS: The included trials were generally of medium methodological quality, though often plagued with issues of internal and external validity. The studies exhibited great heterogeneity, rendering a meta-analysis infeasible.

CONCLUSIONS: Though well-designed studies are still needed, the preponderance of evidence suggests a positive effect of physical exercise on global cognitive functioning, especially in the chronic stages of a brain injury. Time after injury as well as the duration and intensity of the exercise program are mediating factors.

Language: en