Geriatrics & gerontology international
The Effects of Mind-Body Exercise on Cognitive Function and Peripheral Blood BDNF in Elderly People With Mild Cognitive Impairment: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
By Dong N, Zeng B, Wang Q and 1 others.
Abstract
Objective
To systematically evaluate the effects of mind-body exercise (MBE) on cognitive function and peripheral blood brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels in older adults with mild cognitive impairment (MCI), and to explore its intervention effects and potential biological mechanisms.
Methods
PubMed, Web of Science, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library were searched from database inception to March 2026 for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) investigating various MBE interventions, including Tai Chi, Baduanjin, yoga, and mindfulness/meditation, in older adults with MCI. The primary outcomes included cognitive function (global cognitive function, verbal fluency, executive function, episodic memory, short-term memory, working memory, and processing speed and attention) and peripheral blood BDNF levels. Effect sizes were expressed as standardized mean differences (SMDs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) and pooled using fixed- or random-effects models according to heterogeneity. Sensitivity analyses and funnel plots were used to assess robustness and publication bias.