Outcomes of the effect of exercise on cognitive function in patients with depression: A meta-analysis

Table 3 Characteristics of the literature included

Ref.	Country	Depression level	Sample size	Age	Intervention		Exercise intensity	Outcome indicators
					Experimental group	Control group
Buschert et al[6]	Germany	Moderate	18/20	47.27 ± 6.84; 47.47 ± 8.47	Aerobic exercise, 30 minutes, 2-3 times/week, 3-4 weeks	Occupational or art therapy	85% HRmax/moderate to high intensity	TAP
Hoffman et al[20]	United States	Mild-moderate	104/49	51.7 ± 7.6	Aerobic exercise, 3 times/week, 16 weeks	Placebo	70%-85% HRR/moderate to high intensity	Digit Span, Stroop, digit symbol subtest
Imboden et al[7]	Switzerland	Moderate-severe	22/20	41.3 ± 9.2; 38.3 ± 13.4	Aerobic exercise, 45 minutes, 3 times/week, 6 weeks	Stretching exercises	60%-75% HRmax/moderate intensity	Go-NoGo, TAP
Khatri et al[21]	United States	Mild-severe	42/42	56.73 ± 6.45	Aerobic exercise, 45 minutes, 3 times/week, 16 weeks	Sertraline	70%-85% HRR/moderate to high intensity	Digit Span, TMT-A/B, stroop, digit symbol
Krogh et al[22]	Denmark	Mild-moderate	47/48/42	41.98 ± 8.7; 38.1 ± 9.0; 36.7 ± 8.7	Aerobics, strength exercises, 90 minutes, 2 times/week, 16 weeks	Relaxation exercises	50%-75% R, 70%-89% HRmax/moderate to high intensity	Digit Span, Subtracting Serial Sevens, TMT-A/B, Digit Symbol
Lavretsky et al[19]	United States	Moderate-severe	36/37	69.1 ± 7; 72 ± 7.4	Tai chi, 120 minutes, 1 times/week, 10 weeks	health education	Low intensity	TMT-A
Olson et al[23]	United States	Moderate	15/15	21.0 ± 1.9; 21.2 ± 2.2	Aerobic exercise, 45 minutes, 3 times/week, 8 weeks	Stretching exercises	40%-65% HRR/moderate intensity	Flanker
Sharma et al[25]	India	Not specified	15/15	31.87 ± 8.78; 31.67 ± 8.46	Yoga in combination with standard treatment, 30 minutes, 3 times/week, 8 weeks	Standard treatment	Low intensity	LCT, TMT-A/B, Digit Span
Zhang et al[26]	China	Mild-severe	20/19	47.2 ± 6.99/54.16 ± 6.09	Taichi, 90 minutes, 2 times/week, 12 weeks	Daily life	Low intensity	Stroop
Krogh et al[18]	Denmark	Mild-moderate	56/59	39.7 ± 11.3; 43.4 ± 11.2	Aerobic exercise, 45 minutes, 3 times/week, 12 weeks	Stretching exercise	65%-80% VO2max/moderate to high intensity	TMT-A/B, troop, Buscher's SRT, RCFT, Digit Span, Subtracting Series Seven, Digit Symbol Test
Krogh et al[27]	Denmark	Mild-moderate	41/38	38.9 ± 11.7; 43.8 ± 12.2	Aerobic exercise, 45 minutes, 3 times/week, 12 weeks	Stretching exercise	80% HRmax/moderate to high intensity	RCFT
Brush et al[24]	United States	Mild-severe	35/31	20.26 ± 2.84; 20.19 ± 1.78	Aerobic exercise, 45 minutes, 3 times/week, 8 weeks	Stretching exercise	40%-65% HRR/moderate intensity	Flanker
Luttenberger et al[17]	Germany	Mild	22/25	42.71 ± 11.88; 44.96 ± 12.08	Indoor climbing, 180 minutes, 1 times/week, 8 weeks	Waiting group	Not specified	Attention Test d2-R
Chan et al[28]	China	Not specified	17/16	47.06 ± 9.54; 45.44 ± 8.25	Zen Martial Arts Medication, 90 minutes, 1 times/week, 10 weeks	Waiting group	Not specified	DVT
Kerr[29]	Lithuania	Moderate	39/13	54.1 ± 18.3; 55.1 ± 16.5	Aerobic exercise combined with medication treatment, strength training combined with medication treatment, 45 minutes, 3 times/week, 4 weeks	Medication treatment	Moderate intensity	Go-NoGo, Simple Reaction Time, Two Choice Reaction Time
Chen et al[30]	China	Remission phase	63/32	30.3 ± 7.5; 32.7 ± 6.5	Aerobic exercise, 30-60 minutes, 3 days/week, 16 weeks	Medication treatment	64%-76% HRmax/moderate intensity	TMT-A/B, CPT, Digit Span
Zheng et al[31]	China	Not specified	30/30	37.5 ± 9.12; 35.17 ± 5.93	Aerobic exercise combined with standard treatment, 60 minutes, 5 days/week, 4 weeks	Standard treatment	Moderate intensity	RBANS

TMT-A/B: The Trail Making Test (part A and B); TAP: Testbat terie zur Aufmerksamkeitsprüfung; Digit Span: Digit Span Subtest from the WAIS-R; Digit Symbol Subtest: Digit Symbol Subtest from the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-Revised; LCT: Letter Cancellation Test; CPT: Continuous Performance Test; Buscher's SRT: Buschke Selective Reminding Test; RCFT: Rey’s Complex Figure Test; DVT: Digit Vigilance Test; RBANS: Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status; HRmax: Maximal Heart Rate; HHR: Heart Rate Reserve; VO₂max: Maximal oxygen uptake; RM: Repetition maximum.