Effects of Acute and Chronic Exercises on Executive Function in Children and Adolescents: A Systemic Review and Meta-Analysis

Background: Physical exercises can affect executive function both acutely and chronically, with different mechanisms for each moment. Currently, only a few reviews have elaborated on the premise that different types of exercises have different mechanisms for improving executive function. Therefore, the primary purpose of our systematic review was to analyze the effects of acute and chronic exercises on executive function in children and adolescents.Objective: We identified acute and chronic exercise studies and randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of executive function in children and adolescents that reported overall effect, heterogeneity, and publication bias of acute and chronic exercises on executive function.Methods: We searched for RCTs of exercise interventions in children and adolescents from databases including PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, The Cochrane Library, CNKI (China National Knowledge Infrastructure), and Wanfang, from January 1 2009 to December 31 2019. We performed methodological quality evaluations on the included literature using the Physiotherapy Evidence Database Scale (PEDro) and graded evidence with a meta-analysis using Stata 12.0 software.Results: In total, 36 RCTs were included (14 acute exercises, 22 chronic exercises); the overall results of the meta-analysis (4,577 students) indicated that acute exercises significantly improved working memory (standardized mean difference (SMD) = −0.72; 95% confidence interval (CI) −0.89 to −0.56; p < 0.001), inhibitory control (SMD = −0.25; 95% CI −0.40 to −0.09; p = 0.002), and cognitive flexibility (SMD = −0.34; 95% CI −0.55 to −0.14; p < 0.005), whereas chronic exercises significantly improved working memory (SMD = −0.54; 95% CI −0.74 to −0.33; p < 0.001), inhibitory control (SMD = −0.30; 95% CI −0.38 to −0.22; p < 0.001), and cognitive flexibility (SMD = −0.34, 95 % CI −0.48 to −0.20, p < 0.001).Conclusion: Acute and chronic exercises can effectively improve the executive function of children and adolescents. The effects on inhibitory control and cognitive flexibility are considered as small effect sizes, while the effects on working memory are considered as moderate effect size. Limited by the quantity and quality of the included studies, the above conclusions need to be verified with more high-quality studies.

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Effects of Sport-Based Interventions on Children’s Executive Function: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Brain Sciences ◽

10.3390/brainsci11060755 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (6) ◽

pp. 755

Author(s):

Falonn Contreras-Osorio ◽

Christian Campos-Jara ◽

Cristian Martínez-Salazar ◽

Luis Chirosa-Ríos ◽

Darío Martínez-García

Keyword(s):

Systematic Review ◽

Working Memory ◽

Executive Function ◽

Inhibitory Control ◽

Cognitive Flexibility ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Scientific Evidence ◽

Healthy Children ◽

Meta Analyses ◽

The Impact

One of the most studied aspects of children’s cognitive development is that of the development of the executive function, and research has shown that physical activity has been demonstrated as a key factor in its enhancement. This meta-analysis aims to assess the impact of specific sports interventions on the executive function of children and teenagers. A systematic review was carried out on 1 November 2020 to search for published scientific evidence that analysed different sports programs that possibly affected executive function in students. Longitudinal studies, which assessed the effects of sports interventions on subjects between 6 and 18 years old, were identified through a systematic search of the four principal electronic databases: Web of Science, PubMed, Scopus, and EBSCO. A total of eight studies, with 424 subjects overall, met the inclusion criteria and were classified based on one or more of the following categories: working memory, inhibitory control, and cognitive flexibility. The random-effects model for meta-analyses was performed with RevMan version 5.3 to facilitate the analysis of the studies. Large effect sizes were found in all categories: working memory (ES −1.25; 95% CI −1.70; −0.79; p < 0.0001); inhibitory control (ES −1.30; 95% CI −1.98; −0.63; p < 0.00001); and cognitive flexibility (ES −1.52; 95% CI −2.20; −0.83; p < 0.00001). Our analysis concluded that healthy children and teenagers should be encouraged to practice sports in order to improve their executive function at every stage of their development.

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Physical Activity for Executive Function and Activities of Daily Living in AD Patients: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Frontiers in Psychology ◽

10.3389/fpsyg.2020.560461 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 11 ◽

Author(s):

Lin Zhu ◽

Long Li ◽

Lin Wang ◽

Xiaohu Jin ◽

Huajiang Zhang

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Working Memory ◽

Executive Function ◽

Activities Of Daily Living ◽

Cognitive Flexibility ◽

Dual Task ◽

Daily Living ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Moderate Intensity ◽

Cochrane Library

Objectives: The present study aimed to systematically analyze the effects of physical activity on executive function, working memory, cognitive flexibility, and activities of daily living (ADLs) in Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients and to provide a scientific evidence-based exercise prescription.Methods: Both Chinese and English databases (PubMed, Web of Science, the Cochrane Library, EMBASE, VIP Database for Chinese Technical Periodicals, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, and Wanfang) were used as sources of data to search for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) published between January 1980 and December 2019 relating to the effects of physical activity on executive function, working memory, cognitive flexibility, and ADL issues in AD patients. Sixteen eligible RCTs were ultimately included in the meta-analysis.Results: Physical activity had significant benefits on executive function [standard mean difference (SMD) = 0.42, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.22–0.62, p < 0.05], working memory (SMD = 0.28, 95% CI 0.11–0.45, p < 0.05), cognitive flexibility (SMD = 0.23, 95% CI −0.02 to 0.47, p < 0.01), and ADLs (SMD = 0.68, 95% CI 0.19–1.16, p < 0.05) among AD patients. Subgroup analysis indicated that, for executive function issues, more than 60 min per session for 16 weeks of moderate-to-high-intensity dual-task exercises or multimodal exercise had a greater effect on AD patients. For working memory and cognitive flexibility issues, 60–90 min of moderate-intensity dual-task exercises 1–4 times/week was more effective. For ADL issues, 30–90 min of multimodal exercise at 60–79% of maximal heart rate (MHR) 3–4 times/week had a greater effect on AD patients.Conclusions: Physical activity was found to lead to significant improvements in executive function, working memory, cognitive flexibility, and ADLs in AD patients and can be used as an effective method for clinical exercise intervention in these patients. However, more objective, scientific, and effective RCTs are needed to confirm this conclusion.

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Meta-Analysis on Cognitive Benefit of Exercise after Stroke

Complexity ◽

10.1155/2021/5569346 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 2021 ◽

pp. 1-12

Author(s):

Bo Yang ◽

Shuming Wang

Keyword(s):

Working Memory ◽

Executive Function ◽

Exercise Intervention ◽

Combined Therapy ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Cochrane Library ◽

Treatment Protocols ◽

Cognitive Domains ◽

Chi Squared ◽

Cognitive Benefit

ObjectiveThe objective of this paper is to evaluate the cognitive benefit of exercise after stroke, so as to provide more accurate and reliable guidance for targeted exercise intervention. Methods. Randomized controlled trials of the relationship between exercise and cognition after stroke were identified in Cochrane Library and PubMed. Methodological quality was assessed using the Cochrane tool of bias. SMD and 95% confidence intervals were calculated, and Chi-squared test (Q) was adopted to estimate the heterogeneity. Results. (a) Twenty-three studies met inclusion criteria, including 1528 participants. Heterogeneity was from low to high such as attention (I2 = 0.00%), executive function (I2 = 0.00%), cognition (I2 = 64%), and working memory (I2 = 77%). (b) The overall effect on cognition was small (SMD = 0.16 [0.04, 0.28]) but significant and there is a difference between cognitive domains in attention (SMD = −0.35 [−0.57, −0.14]), executive function (SMD = −0.24 [−0.40, −0.08]), and working memory (SMD = 0.36 [0.20, 0.53]). (c) Exercise training was less effective before the 18th month after stroke. Higher benefits on cognition were found after combined therapy compared with other exercise programs, and the older the stroke survivors, the less the cognitive benefit of exercise. Conclusion. Small-to-moderate effect of exercise on cognitive benefit after stroke was found, and the effect was moderated by treatment protocols and sample characteristics.

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Word learning from context : relations with language ability, socioeconomic status, and executive function

10.32469/10355/63656 ◽

2017 ◽

Author(s):

◽

Margaret Hill

Keyword(s):

Socioeconomic Status ◽

Working Memory ◽

Executive Function ◽

Inhibitory Control ◽

Cognitive Flexibility ◽

Word Learning ◽

Learning Process ◽

Language Ability ◽

Word Knowledge ◽

Word Meanings

During the school-age years, children learn most new word meanings from context rather than through deliberate vocabulary instruction. However, the actual process of word learning from context among schoolage children remains poorly understood. Prior research suggests that language ability and higher-order executive function skills such as working memory and inhibitory control of attention may aid children in acquiring new word meanings from context, but studies have not examined the effect of cognitive flexibility on word learning. In addition, although research has shown that children from families of low socioeconomic status (SES) often lag behind their peers from higher-SES backgrounds in vocabulary, there is no evidence to suggest that SES directly influences the word learning process itself. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of language ability, SES, and executive function on word learning from context among typically developing children. Fifty children of ages nine to 11 years completed a standardized measure of language ability and tasks of working memory, inhibitory control, and cognitive flexibility along with a pretest to assess their understanding of 12 rare target words. Approximately one week later, the children read along with two short stories containing the target words while listening as the stories were narrated aloud by a computer. Posttest results showed that as a group, children made small but significant gains in knowledge of target word meanings from the stories. Analyses showed that both language ability and cognitive flexibility were related to gains in word knowledge, and that children tended to rely more on the stronger of these two skills if either language or cognitive flexibility was relatively weak. Children's SES backgrounds were not directly related to word knowledge gains, but results suggested that SES may influence the word learning process indirectly through an effect on children's cognitive flexibility.

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Association between susceptibility of diabetic nephropathy and gene polymorphisms in ELMO1 and IL-8: a systemic review and meta-analysis

10.21203/rs.2.15384/v1 ◽

2019 ◽

Author(s):

Yanting Zhu ◽

Xiaoming Wang ◽

Yan Sun ◽

Qiong Wang ◽

Bing Wu ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Diabetic Nephropathy ◽

Gene Polymorphisms ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Systemic Review ◽

Cochrane Library ◽

China National Knowledge Infrastructure ◽

Knowledge Infrastructure ◽

Electronic Search ◽

Increased Risk ◽

Stratified Analysis

Abstract Background: The engulfment and cell motility 1 (ELMO1) and interleukin-8 (IL8) gene polymorphisms have been previously implicated in diabetic nephropathy (DN) susceptibility. However, the results are inconsistent. We aimed to examine this issue by systematic meta-analysis. Methods: An electronic search was conducted in PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, Cochrane Library, China National Knowledge Infrastructure and Wanfang Database to identify all the eligible studies. Odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated to investigate the associations. All statistical analyses were performed by STATA 12.0. Results: Of the 11 studies included, 9 studies were performed to detect EMLO1 rs741301 polymorphism; 5 studies were used to examine IL-8 rs4073 polymorphism. The results revealed no significant association between EMLO1 rs741301 polymorphism and DN risk. While, stratified analysis by ethnicity indicated that EMLO1 rs741301 polymorphism was associated with an increased risk of DN risk among Asians (GG vs. GA +AA: OR= 1.840, 95% CI= 1.338-2.529, P= 0.000; GG vs. AA: OR= 1.834, 95% CI= 1.309-2.569, P= 0.000; G vs. A: OR= 1.222, 95% CI= 1.053-1.417, P= 0.008). As for IL-8 rs4073 polymorphism, a positive correlation between this gene polymorphism and DN risk was found (AA+AT vs. TT: OR= 1.450, 95% CI= 1.166-1.802, P= 0.001; AT vs. TT: OR= 1.420, 95% CI= 1.129-1.786, P= 0.003; AA vs. TT: OR= 1.553, 95% CI= 1.094-2.203, P= 0.014; A vs. T: OR= 1.291, 95% CI= 1.102-1.512, P= 0.002). After stratified population by ethnicity, the results in Caucasians remained significant (AA+AT vs. TT: OR= 1.770, 95% CI= 1.354-2.315, P= 0.000; AT vs. TT: OR= 1.733, 95% CI= 1.304-2.302, P= 0.000; AA vs. TT: OR= 1.939, 95% CI= 1.263-2.976, P= 0.002; A vs. T: OR= 1.494, 95% CI= 1.227-1.820, P= 0.000). Conclusions: This meta-analysis indicates that the GG genotype of EMLO1 rs741301 polymorphism and the A allele of IL-8 rs4073 polymorphism might be risk factors for the development of DN.

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The developmental trajectories of executive function from adolescence to old age

Scientific Reports ◽

10.1038/s41598-020-80866-1 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Heather J. Ferguson ◽

Victoria E. A. Brunsdon ◽

Elisabeth E. F. Bradford

Keyword(s):

Working Memory ◽

Executive Function ◽

Executive Functions ◽

Old Age ◽

Inhibitory Control ◽

Cognitive Flexibility ◽

Young Adulthood ◽

Older Age ◽

Age Related ◽

Middle Aged Adults

AbstractExecutive functions demonstrate variable developmental and aging profiles, with protracted development into early adulthood and declines in older age. However, relatively few studies have specifically included middle-aged adults in investigations of age-related differences in executive functions. This study explored the age-related differences in executive function from late childhood through to old age, allowing a more informed understanding of executive functions across the lifespan. Three hundred and fifty participants aged 10 to 86 years-old completed a battery of tasks assessing the specific roles of inhibitory control, working memory, cognitive flexibility, and planning. Results highlighted continued improvement in working memory capacity across adolescence and into young adulthood, followed by declines in both working memory and inhibitory control, beginning from as early as 30–40 years old and continuing into older age. Analyses of planning abilities showed continued improvement across adolescence and into young adulthood, followed by a decline in abilities across adulthood, with a small (positive) change in older age. Interestingly, a dissociation was found for cognitive flexibility; switch costs decreased, yet mixing costs increased across the lifespan. The results provide a description of the developmental differences in inhibitory control, working memory, cognitive flexibility and planning, above any effects of IQ or SES, and highlight the importance of including middle-aged adults in studies seeking to establish a more comprehensive picture of age-related differences in executive function.

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The Efficacy and Safety of the Combination of Total Glucosides of Peony and Leflunomide for the Treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Systemic Review and Meta-Analysis

Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine ◽

10.1155/2016/9852793 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 2016 ◽

pp. 1-8 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Zhitao Feng ◽

Juan Xu ◽

Guochao He ◽

Meiqun Cao ◽

Lihong Duan ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Rheumatoid Arthritis ◽

Liver Function ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Systemic Review ◽

Cochrane Library ◽

Efficacy And Safety ◽

China National Knowledge Infrastructure ◽

Knowledge Infrastructure ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Total Glucosides Of Peony

Objective.To evaluate the efficacy and safety of the total glucosides of peony (TGP) and leflunomide (LEF) for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA).Methods.Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on the efficacy and safety of the combination of TGP and LEF versus LEF alone for the treatment of RA were retrieved by searching PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, the China National Knowledge Infrastructure database, and Wanfang database.Results.Eight RCTs including 643 RA patients were included in the present meta-analysis. The quality of included studies was poor. The levels of ESR (P<0.0001), CRP (P<0.0001), and RF (P<0.0001) in RA patients who received the combination of TGP and LEF were significantly lower than RA patients who received LEF therapy alone. The pooled results suggest that the combination of TGP and LEF caused less abnormal liver function than LEF alone (P=0.02). No significant difference in the gastrointestinal discomfort was identified between the combination of TGP and LEF and LEF alone groups (P=0.18).Conclusion.The combination of TGP and LEF in treatment of RA presented the characteristics of notably decreasing the levels of laboratory indexes and higher safety in terms of liver function. However, this conclusion should be further investigated based on a larger sample size.

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The Short-Term Impact of Animation on the Executive Function of Children Aged 4 to 7

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph18168616 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 18 (16) ◽

pp. 8616

Author(s):

Liheng Fan ◽

Meichen Zhan ◽

Wenjing Qing ◽

Tan Gao ◽

Mengying Wang

Keyword(s):

Working Memory ◽

Executive Function ◽

Inhibitory Control ◽

Cognitive Flexibility ◽

Family Income ◽

Developmental Trajectories ◽

Digit Span ◽

Interactive Effect ◽

Future Research ◽

Viewing Time

Research has shown that animation plays an important role in the development of children’s executive function (EF), and the development of EF components, inhibitory control, working memory, and cognitive flexibility, is asynchronous. Thus, this study explores the developmental trajectories and animation features (fantasy and pacing) that influence each EF component, by examining 218 children aged 4–7. Pretest information, mainly the childhood EF inventory, was provided by parents: child’s age, age of first exposure to animation, animation viewing time on weekdays and weekends, family income, and parents’ education. The children in each age group were randomly divided into four groups to watch animations comprised of different animation features. After watching, their EF were measured by a day-night task, backward digit-span task, and flexible item-selection task. The results showed that the children’s inhibitory control, working memory and cognitive flexibility levels all improved with age. Highly fantastical animations weakened children’s performance on each subsequent EF task. Pacing had no effect on any of the components of children’s EF. An interactive effect on inhibitory control was only found with fantasy in younger children; specifically, high-fantastical animations had a more pronounced short-lived weakening effect on inhibitory control in younger children (4–6 years) compared with low-fantastical animations. Future research should explore the long-term impact of content rather than the form of animation on younger children’s EF.

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Effects of chronic exercise interventions on executive function among children and adolescents: a systematic review with meta-analysis

British Journal of Sports Medicine ◽

10.1136/bjsports-2018-099825 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 53 (22) ◽

pp. 1397-1404 ◽

Cited By ~ 26

Author(s):

Yue Xue ◽

Yanxiang Yang ◽

Tao Huang

Keyword(s):

Systematic Review ◽

Executive Functions ◽

Children And Adolescents ◽

Inhibitory Control ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Healthy Children ◽

Chronic Exercise ◽

Session Length ◽

Eligibility Criteria ◽

Exercise Interventions

ObjectiveTo synthesise randomised controlled trials (RCTs) regarding the effects of chronic exercise interventions on different domain-specific executive functions (EFs) among children and adolescents.DesignSystematic review with meta-analysis.Data sourcesPsycINFO, PubMed, SPORTDiscus, Academic Search Premier, Embase and Web of Science were searched.Eligibility criteria for selecting studiesRCTs or cluster RCT design, which employ chronic exercise interventions and target healthy children (age 6–12 years) and adolescents (age 13–17 years). We defined chronic exercise as physical activity (PA) which consists of multiple exercise sessions per week and lasts for an extended period of time (typically over 6 weeks).ResultsWe included 19 studies, with a total of 5038 participants. The results showed that chronic exercise interventions improved overall EFs (standardised mean difference (SMD)=0.20, 95% CI 0.09 to 0.30, p<0.05) and inhibitory control (SMD=0.26, 95% CI 0.08 to 0.45, P<0.05). In meta regression, higher body mass index was associated with greater improvements in overall EFs performance (β=0.03, 95% CI 0.0002 to 0.06, p<0.05), whereas age and exercise duration were not. In subgroup analysis by intervention modality, sports and PA programme (SMD=0.21, 95% CI 0.12 to 0.31, p<0.05) and curricular PA (SMD=0.39, 95% CI 0.08 to 0.69, p<0.05) improved overall EFs performance, but integrated PA did not (SMD=0.02, 95% CI −0.05 to 0.09, p>0.05). Interventions with a session length < 90 minutes improved overall EFs performance (SMD=0.24, 95%CI 0.10 to 0.39, p=0.02), but session length ≥ 90 minutes did not (SMD=0.05, 95%CI -0.03 to 0.14). No other moderator was found to have an effect.ConclusionsDespite small effect sizes, chronic exercise interventions, implemented in curricular or sports and PA programme settings, might be a promising way to promote multiple aspects of executive functions, especially inhibitory control.

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Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Executive Functions in Preschool and School-Age Children With Neurofibromatosis Type 1

Journal of the International Neuropsychological Society ◽

10.1017/s1355617718000383 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 24 (9) ◽

pp. 977-994 ◽

Cited By ~ 11

Author(s):

Marie-Laure Beaussart ◽

Sébastien Barbarot ◽

Claire Mauger ◽

Arnaud Roy

Keyword(s):

Working Memory ◽

Problem Solving ◽

Inhibitory Control ◽

Cognitive Flexibility ◽

Neurofibromatosis Type 1 ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Executive Dysfunction ◽

Neurofibromatosis Type ◽

Planning Problem

AbstractObjectives:Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) is a genetic disorder in which the most frequent complication in children is learning disabilities. Over the past decade, growing arguments support the idea that executive dysfunction is a core deficit in children with NF1. However, some data remain inconsistent. The aim of this study was to determine the magnitude of impairment for each executive function (EF) and clarify the impact of methodological choices and participant’s characteristics on EFs.Methods:In this meta-analysis, 19 studies met the selection criteria and were included with data from a total of 805 children with NF1 and 667 controls. Based on the Diamond’s model (2013), EF measures were coded separately according to the following EF components: working memory, inhibitory control, cognitive flexibility, planning/problem solving. The review protocol was registered with PROSPERO (International prospective register of systematic reviews; CRD42017068808).Results:A significant executive dysfunction in children with NF1 is demonstrated. Subgroup analysis showed that the impairment varied as a function of the specific component of executive functioning. The effect size for working memory and planning/problem solving was moderate whereas it was small for inhibitory control and cognitive flexibility. Executive dysfunction seems to be greater with increasing age whereas assessment tool type, intellectual performance, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and control group composition did not seem to affect EF results.Conclusions:EF deficits are a core feature in children with NF1 and an early identification of executive dysfunctions is essential to limit their impact on the quality of life. (JINS, 2018,24, 977–994)

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