Effect Providing Brain Gym On Improving Cognitive Function In Elderly: Meta-Analysis

Authors

  • Cahyo Setiawan Program Studi Fisioterapi, Fakultas Ilmu Kesehatan, Universitas 'Aisyiyah Surakarta
    Indonesia
  • Apriliyan Yunita Sari Program Studi Fisioterapi, Fakultas Ilmu Kesehatan, Universitas 'Aisyiyah Surakarta, Surakarta, Indonesia
    Indonesia
  • Anggun Arvita Wijayanti Program Studi Fisioterapi, Fakultas Ilmu Kesehatan, Universitas 'Aisyiyah Surakarta, Surakarta, Indonesia
    Indonesia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.23917/fisiomu.v6i2.8470

Keywords:

Brain gym, cognitive function, elderly, meta-analysis, interventions

Abstract

Introduction: Cognitive decline with aging impacts quality of life, making it crucial to explore effective interventions. Brain Gym, a program involving simple physical exercises, is proposed to enhance cognitive function, but evidence is mixed. This study aims to conduct a meta-analysis to evaluate the overall effectiveness of Brain Gym in improving cognitive function in the elderly and to identify factors that may influence its effectiveness. Methods:  A meta-analysis of RCTs evaluating Brain Gym for elderly cognitive function. Databases searched included PubMed and ScienceDirect. Data were analyzed using RevMan 5.3. Results: The meta-analysis of Brain Gym interventions in elderly individuals revealed high heterogeneity among studies (I² = 95%) and no significant overall effect (P = 0.62), indicating inconsistent results. Conclusion: Brain Gym shows potential for improving cognitive function in the elderly. Future research should explore specific contexts and populations for more targeted interventions.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

Adcock, M., Fankhauser, M., Post, J., Lutz, K., Zizlsperger, L., Luft, A. R., Guimarães, V., Schättin, A., & de Bruin, E. D. (2020). Effects of an in-home multicomponent exergame training on physical functions, cognition, and brain volume of older adults: a randomized controlled trial. Frontiers in medicine, 6, 321.

Augusto-Oliveira, M., Arrifano, G. P., Leal-Nazaré, C. G., Santos-Sacramento, L., Lopes-Araújo, A., Royes, L. F. F., & Crespo-Lopez, M. E. (2023). Exercise reshapes the brain: molecular, cellular, and structural changes associated with cognitive improvements. Molecular Neurobiology, 60(12), 6950–6974.

Barnes, J. N., Pearson, A. G., Corkery, A. T., Eisenmann, N. A., & Miller, K. B. (2021). Exercise, arterial stiffness, and cerebral vascular function: potential impact on brain health. Journal of the International Neuropsychological Society, 27(8), 761–775.

Biazus-Sehn, L. F., Schuch, F. B., Firth, J., & de Souza Stigger, F. (2020). Effects of physical exercise on cognitive function of older adults with mild cognitive impairment: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Archives of Gerontology and Geriatrics, 89, 104048.

Bliss, E. S., Wong, R. H. X., Howe, P. R. C., & Mills, D. E. (2021). Benefits of exercise training on cerebrovascular and cognitive function in ageing. Journal of Cerebral Blood Flow & Metabolism, 41(3), 447–470.

Borenstein, M., Hedges, L. V, Higgins, J. P. T., & Rothstein, H. R. (2021). Introduction to meta-analysis. John Wiley & Sons.

Calverley, T. A., Ogoh, S., Marley, C. J., Steggall, M., Marchi, N., Brassard, P., Lucas, S. J. E., Cotter, J. D., Roig, M., & Ainslie, P. N. (2020). HIITing the brain with exercise: mechanisms, consequences and practical recommendations. The Journal of physiology, 598(13), 2513–2530.

Cano-Estrada, A., Jimenez-Mendoza, A., Contreras-Guerrero, D., Hernandes-Alejandro, M., & Salas-Casas, A. (2022). The Effect of Brain Gym on Global Cognitive Function of Institutionalized Older People. International Journal of Mental Health Promotion, 24(3).

Chen, F.-T., Etnier, J. L., Chan, K.-H., Chiu, P.-K., Hung, T.-M., & Chang, Y.-K. (2020). Effects of exercise training interventions on executive function in older adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Sports Medicine, 50(8), 1451–1467.

Cline, A., Knox, G., De Martin Silva, L., & Draper, S. (2021). A Process Evaluation of A UK Classroom-Based Physical Activity Intervention—‘Busy Brain Breaks.’ Children, 8(2), 63.

Crivelli, L., Palmer, K., Calandri, I., Guekht, A., Beghi, E., Carroll, W., Frontera, J., García‐Azorín, D., Westenberg, E., & Winkler, A. S. (2022). Changes in cognitive functioning after COVID‐19: A systematic review and meta‐analysis. Alzheimer’s & Dementia, 18(5), 1047–1066.

de Jong, V. M. T., Moons, K. G. M., Riley, R. D., Tudur Smith, C., Marson, A. G., Eijkemans, M. J. C., & Debray, T. P. A. (2020). Individual participant data meta‐analysis of intervention studies with time‐to‐event outcomes: a review of the methodology and an applied example. Research synthesis methods, 11(2), 148–168.

Deery, H. A., Di Paolo, R., Moran, C., Egan, G. F., & Jamadar, S. D. (2023). The older adult brain is less modular, more integrated, and less efficient at rest: A systematic review of large‐scale resting‐state functional brain networks in aging. Psychophysiology, 60(1), e14159.

Festa, F., Medori, S., & Macrì, M. (2023). Move your body, boost your brain: the positive impact of physical activity on cognition across all age groups. Biomedicines, 11(6), 1765.

Gupta, M. D., Kakkar, M., & Meena, S. K. (2024). Brain Gym: An Emerging Occupational Therapy Practise. Revista Electronica de Veterinaria, 25(1S), 324–329.

Izquierdo, M., Merchant, R. A., Morley, J. E., Anker, S. D., Aprahamian, I., Arai, H., Aubertin-Leheudre, M., Bernabei, R., Cadore, E. L., & Cesari, M. (2021). International exercise recommendations in older adults (ICFSR): expert consensus guidelines. The journal of nutrition, health & aging, 25(7), 824–853.

Jalilinasab, S., Saemi, E., & Abedanzadeh, R. (2022). Fundamental motor and social skills of children: The role of Brain Gym exercise. Early Child Development and Care, 192(14), 2256–2267.

Jamshidi, L., Heyvaert, M., Declercq, L., Fernández-Castilla, B., Ferron, J. M., Moeyaert, M., Beretvas, S. N., Onghena, P., & Van den Noortgate, W. (2023). A systematic review of single-case experimental design meta-analyses: Characteristics of study designs, data, and analyses. Evidence-based communication assessment and intervention, 17(1), 6–30.

Özsungur, F. (2020). Gerontechnological factors affecting successful aging of elderly. The Aging Male, 23(5), 520–532.

Rismayanthi, C., Zein, M. I., Mulyawan, R., Nurfadhila, R., Prasetyawan, R. R., & Antoni, M. S. (2022). The effect of low impact aerobic exercise on increasing physical fitness for the elderly. Jurnal Keolahragaan, 10(1), 137–146.

Robledo-Castro, C., Castillo-Ossa, L. F., & Corchado, J. M. (2023). Artificial cognitive systems applied in executive function stimulation and rehabilitation programs: a systematic review. Arabian journal for science and engineering, 48(2), 2399–2427.

Romo-Parra, M. del C., García-Martín, M. Á., Delgado, J. J., & Vera-Balanza, M. T. (2021). Promoting mental fitness in the context of active ageing policies: Comparative analysis of action programme objectives in eight countries.

Sarant, J., Harris, D., Busby, P., Maruff, P., Schembri, A., Lemke, U., & Launer, S. (2020). The effect of hearing aid use on cognition in older adults: can we delay decline or even improve cognitive function? Journal of clinical medicine, 9(1), 254.

Silakarma, D., Adiputra, N., Sudewi, A. A. R., & Widiana, I. G. R. (2021). Brain gym application and brain vitalization exercises in Balinese dance movement improves cognitive functions, quality of live and decreasing BDNF level in elderly. International journal of health sciences, 5(2), 135–150.

Silva, R., Bobrowicz-Campos, E., Cardoso, D., Costa, P., Couto, F., Camarneiro, A. P., Abrunheiro, S., Almeida, M., & Apóstolo, J. (2020). Effects of caregiver-provided individual cognitive interventions on cognition, social functioning and quality of life in older adults with major neurocognitive disorders: a systematic review. JBI Evidence Synthesis, 18(4), 743–806.

Srinivas, N. S., Vimalan, V., Padmanabhan, P., & Gulyás, B. (2021). An overview on cognitive function enhancement through physical exercises. Brain Sciences, 11(10), 1289.

Tanaka, H., Gourley, D. D., Dekhtyar, M., & Haley, A. P. (2020). Cognition, brain structure, and brain function in individuals with obesity and related disorders. Current obesity reports, 9, 544–549.

Tarassova, O., Ekblom, M. M., Moberg, M., Lövdén, M., & Nilsson, J. (2020). Peripheral BDNF response to physical and cognitive exercise and its association with cardiorespiratory fitness in healthy older adults. Frontiers in physiology, 11, 1080.

Varela, S., Ayán, C., Bidaurrazaga-Letona, I., Diz, J. C., & Dunabeitia, I. (2023). The effect of Brain Gym on cognitive function in older people: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Geriatric Nursing, 53, 175–180.

Wollesen, B., Wildbredt, A., van Schooten, K. S., Lim, M. L., & Delbaere, K. (2020). The effects of cognitive-motor training interventions on executive functions in older people: a systematic review and meta-analysis. European Review of Aging and Physical Activity, 17(1), 1–22.

Zhidong, C., Wang, X., Yin, J., Song, D., & Chen, Z. (2021). Effects of physical exercise on working memory in older adults: a systematic and meta-analytic review. European Review of Aging and Physical Activity, 18(1), 1–15.

Ziegler, D. A., Anguera, J. A., Gallen, C. L., Hsu, W.-Y., Wais, P. E., & Gazzaley, A. (2022). Leveraging technology to personalize cognitive enhancement methods in aging. Nature aging, 2(6), 475–483.

Downloads

Submitted

2025-01-23

Accepted

2025-03-12

Published

2025-06-01

How to Cite

Setiawan, C., Yunita Sari, A., & Arvita Wijayanti, A. (2025). Effect Providing Brain Gym On Improving Cognitive Function In Elderly: Meta-Analysis. FISIO MU: Physiotherapy Evidences, 6(2), 128–136. https://doi.org/10.23917/fisiomu.v6i2.8470

Issue

Vol. 6 No. 2 (2025): Integrating Local Wisdom into Sustainable Physiotherapy Practices

Section

Articles

License

Copyright (c) 2025 Fisio Mu : Physiotherapy Evidaces Journal

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.


Authors who publish with FISIO MU: Phsiotherapy Evidences agree to the following terms:

  1. Author(s) retain copyright and grant the journal right of first publication with the work simultaneously licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License that allow others to share the work within an acknowledgement of the work’s authorship and initial publication of this journal.
  2. Author(s) are able to enter into separate, additional contractual arrangement for the non-exclusive distribution of the the journal’s published version of the work (e.g. acknowledgement of its initial publication in this journal).
  3. Author(s) are permitted and encouraged to post their work online (e.g. in institutional repositories or on their websites) prior to and during the submission process, as it can lead to productive exchanges, as well as earlier and greater citation of published works.