Effects of multicomponent exercise on cognitive and physical functioning in older adults with cognitive frail: a systematic review and Meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

Corresponding author: NIE Weilin, 745105902@qq.com

DOI: 10.12201/bmr.202511.00047

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  Abstract: Objective To systematically evaluate the rehabilitation effect of multi-component exercise on cognitive and physical function in the elderly with cognitive frailty, and to provide new evidence for the formulation or update of relevant guidelines in the future. Methods A computerized search was conducted for randomized controlled trials on the effectiveness of multicomponent exercise interventions for cognitive frail older adults in 12 Chinese and English databases, including PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, CNKI, and Wanfang databases, with a timeframe of the construction of the database to August 2025. Literature was screened independently by 2 researchers to evaluate the quality of the literature and extract information from the literature. Meta-analysis was performed using RevMan software. Results Meta-analysis results showed that there was still a lack of strong evidence to support the positive effect of multicomponent exercise on overall cognitive function in the elderly with cognitive frailty SMD=1.47, 95%CI (-0.38, 3.31), P=0.12. Subgroup analysis results showed that, Age < 80 years, each training time ≥60 minutes, and multi-component exercise in the form of group exercise can improve cognition. Multicomponent exercise can improve lower extremity muscle strength MD = 3.35, 95% CI (5.69, 1.01), P = 0.005) and walking mobile MD = 2.19, 95% CI (4.25, 0.14), P = 0.04), However, the effects on grip strength, comprehensive mobility, and quality of life are still unclear. Conclusions Multicomponent exercise has been shown to have positive effects on some physical functions (such as lower limb muscle strength and walking ability) in the elderly with cognitive frailty. However, the positive effects on overall cognitive function, grip strength, and comprehensive mobility cannot be determined. Based on this, future research recommendations are proposed.

  Key words: Multicomponent exercise; Exercise; Cognitive decline; Older adults; Function; Rehabilitation; Systematic evaluation; Meta-analysis

  Submit time: 19 November 2025

  Copyright: The copyright holder for this preprint is the author/funder, who has granted biomedRxiv a license to display the preprint in perpetuity.
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