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Walking Interventions and Cognitive Health in Older Adults: A Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials.

American journal of health promotion : AJHP
March 31, 2025
Jongwon Lee et al. (13 authors)
Journal ArticleReviewHuman Study
Study Details

Study Goal

The researchers aimed to evaluate the effectiveness and optimal dose of walking interventions on specific cognitive domains (executive function, memory, attention, processing speed, and global cognition) in older adults.

Results Summary

Walking interventions improved executive function (6 studies) and memory (3 studies), particularly when delivered individually, for at least 40 minutes per session, three times per week, over 6 to 26 weeks, and at moderate to vigorous intensity. Nine studies showed favorable effects on at least one cognitive domain.

Population

Older adults without Alzheimer's or related dementias.

Effective Dosage

At least 40 minutes per session, three times per week.

Duration

6 to 26 weeks.

Interactions

None mentioned.

Extracted Claims (6)
InterventionDirectionEndpointPopulationDosageImpactClaim #
walking interventions
increase
at least one cognitive domain
older adults
-
found a favorable effect
#1
walking interventions
increase
executive function
older adults
-
improved
#2
walking interventions
increase
memory
older adults
-
improved
#3
walking interventions
increase
specific domains of cognitive function
older adults
-
may improve
#4
walking interventions
increase
executive function
older adults
-
may improve
#5
walking interventions
increase
memory
older adults
-
may improve
#6
Abstract

ObjectiveThis systematic review summarizes the effectiveness and the dose of walking interventions on specific cognition domains in older adults, including executive function, memory, attention, processing speed, and global cognition.Data sourcePublished randomized controlled trials in PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science until 10 May 2023.Study Inclusion and Exclusion CriteriaStudies include older adults without Alzheimer's or related dementias, involving a walking intervention and performance-based neuropsychological assessments for executive function, memory, processing speed, attention, or global cognition.Data ExtractionTwo independent research assistants reviewed 8424 studies and included 17 studies.Data SynthesisParticipant demographics, intervention features (type, intensity, time, frequency, duration, format, and context), cognitive assessment tools, and main findings.ResultsNine studies found a favorable effect of walking interventions on at least one cognitive domain. Walking interventions improved executive function (n = 6) and memory (n = 3). These studies delivered the intervention individually (n = 3) for at least 40 minutes (n = 6) each time, three times per week (n = 8), between 6 to 26 weeks (n = 8), and walking at a moderate to vigorous intensity (n = 7).ConclusionWalking interventions may improve specific domains of cognitive function in older adults, particularly executive function and memory. More standardized reporting of intervention design and participant compliance based on published guidelines is needed to determine the dose-response association and the long-term effect of walking interventions on cognition.

Study Links
Quality Scores
SafetyNot Assessed
Efficacy75/10
Quality85/10
Research Impact Scores
APT Score0.05
Weight Score2.70
Normalized Score0.67
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