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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 volume 17, Article number: 9 (2020) Cite this article

Abstract

Background

Ageing is associated with physical and cognitive decline, affecting independence and quality of life in older people. Recent studies show that in particular executive functions are important for daily-life function and mobility. This systematic review investigated the effectiveness of cognitive-motor training including exergaming on executive function (EF, set-shifting, working memory, inhibitory control) in healthy older people.

Methods

An electronic database search for randomised controlled trials (RCT), controlled clinical trials (CCT) and parallel group trials was performed using MEDLINE, EMBASE, and PsychINFO following PRISMA guidelines. Inclusion criteria were: (1) community-dwelling participants > 60 years without a medical condition or medical treatment, (2) reporting at least one cognitive-motor intervention while standing or walking, (3) use of dual-task interventions using traditional methods or modern technology to deliver a cognitive-motor task, (4) inclusion of at least one cognitive outcome. The PEDro scale was used for quality assessment.

Results

A total of 1557 studies were retrieved, of which 25 studies were included in this review. Eleven studies used a technology-based dual-task intervention, while 14 trials conducted a general cognitive-motor training. The age range of the cohort was 69 to 87 years. The interventions demonstrated positive effects on global cognitive function [mean difference 0.6, 95% CI 0.29–0.90] and inhibitory control [mean difference 0.61, 95% CI 0.28–0.94]. Effects were heterogeneous (I2 range: 60–95) and did not remain after a sensitivity analysis. Processing speed and dual-task costs also improved, but meta-analysis was not possible.

Conclusion

Cognitive-motor and technology-based interventions had a positive impact on some cognitive functions. Dual-task interventions led to improvements of domains related global cognitive functions and inhibitory control. Likewise, technology-based exergame interventions improved functions related to processing speed, attentional and inhibitory control. Training interventions with a certain level of exercise load such as progression in difficulty and task specificity were more effective to gain task-related adaptations on cognitive functions.

Introduction

Ageing is associated with changes to the locomotor system and reduced efficiency of cognitive processing [1]. Most daily activities require the simultaneous execution of cognitive and motor tasks [2]. Limited resources, reduced efficiency and increased interference between tasks often lead to deterioration of motor and/or cognitive performance with ageing [3, 4]. Reduced performance while performing a simultaneous task, often referred to as cognitive-motor interference, represents a major risk factor of falls in older people [5,6,7,8]. Therefore, adequate physical and cognitive resources with the ability to use these resources simultaneously seems key in order for older people to maintain an independent lifestyle.

Executive functions (EF) are the main cognitive abilities necessary to interact with the environment in daily activities [9]. Executive functions include a wide range of higher-order cognitive functions. A recent review by Diamond [10] identified three major domains of EF that are of particular relevance to walking and daily life activities [11,12,13]: (i) inhibitory control, which includes the ability to stay focused despite distraction and inhibit pre-potent but inappropriate responses; (ii) working memory, which refers to the ability to hold and manipulate information, prioritise and plan actions, and (iii) cognitive flexibility, which refers to one’s ability to adjust and change attention, as well as set-shifting and task-switching (cf. Textbox 1).

Textbox 1- Cognition and executive function taxonomy

The term “cognition” is a broad expression of mental domains related to brain processes connected to assimilating and understanding external stimulation [14] and “the ability to hold, process and manipulate information in the mind” ([15], p.5).

One major important set of cognitive processing is described by the term “executive function” (EF), which is also referred to as cognitive control [10]. According to the definition of Diamond [10], EF is an umbrella term for a collection of mental processes regarding the ability to concentrate, focus and adequately react to external stimuli.

Based on this it is of general agreement that EFs are subdivided into three core elements inhibition, working memory and cognitive flexibility [10].

 1. Inhibition describes the ability to control attentional resources, e.g. connected to behaviour, thoughts or emotions. Inhibition enables an individual to selectively focus on an external stimulus to be processed, while suppressing other stimuli.

  ° Inhibitory control is often measured by testing one’s selective attention which requires the ability to correctly discriminate two incongruent stimuli, e.g. the Stroop, the Flanker Test or tasks involving a go/no-go instruction.

 2. Working memory (WM) involves holding and manipulating information in mind, e.g. using stored information to solve an ongoing problem. Linked to a variety of neuronal subsystems, WM enables the analysis and clustering of information while selectively focusing on information stored in mind. Testing WM often requires reordering stored information, e.g. repeat a selection of numbers in another order, which is for example used in complex span-backwards tasks, e.g. the n-back task.

  ° Verbal fluency tasks require the ability to hold information in mind, while performing a mental process, e.g. the spontaneous production of words.

  ° Arithmetic tasks refer to tasks solving mathematical problems, e.g. counting backwards or multiplying.

 3. Cognitive flexibility describes the ability to change perspectives according to external demands and an adequate reaction. Flexibility is often investigated via task switching (set-shifting) tasks. This requires the ability to randomly shift between various required stimulus-respond set, e.g. during the Wisconsin Sorting Card test [15].

Other basic cognitive functions regarding reaction time and speed of cognitive processing [16]:

 1. Processing speed is referred to as the simple reaction time between an external stimulus and a behavioural response occurrence, which can be tested by the finger-tapping speed as a reaction of a visual stimulus.

 2. Visuospatial abilities are connected to the processing and memory of visual as well as spatial stimuli. Common test for visuospatial planning abilities are the Clock-Drawing-Test or the Spatial Span test.

Previous research has shown that it is possible to improve cognitive function in older people, using physical and mental training, individually or combined. Combining physical and mental training is often referred to as dual-task training (DT) [8, 17, 18]. Dual-tasking describes the combination of a motor and a cognitive task; e.g. walking while counting backwards, conducting a verbal fluency task (e.g. naming animals), attentional control (e.g. reaction on signs) and processing speed [8]. Generally, simultaneous demands can lead to a reduced performance in one of the two tasks. The change in performance under dual-task compared to single-task conditions is called a dual-task cost [7], otherwise known as cognitive-motor interference [19]. In a recent review, Tait and colleagues [18] demonstrated that training motor and cognitive tasks simultaneously (dual-task training) showed significant improvements in cognitive functions, i.e. global cognition and EF (inhibition, working memory and cognitive flexibility), compared to sequential physical and mental training.

Recent studies have repeatedly shown that the ageing brain and body remain plastic and that older people’s performance can be improved through systematic motor or cognitive training [20,21,22]. However, improvements in neurophysiological correlates differ with the type of the training tasks [21]. Thus, through physical training, cognitive resources can be applied more effectively. Moreover, different types of dual- or multi-task training can positively influence cognitive performance of older people [8, 21]. While there are positive results, more work is required to uncover which types of dual-task training are most effective. Wollesen and Voelcker-Rehage [8] subdivided dual-task training into categories based on the training and assessment method, differentiating general and specific dual-task training. General dual-tasking (GDT) describes an intervention which uses a variety of dual-task exercises with the idea that this intervention might improve general dual-task performance. Specific dual-tasking (SDT) requires the participant to specifically conduct the same tasks as in the training condition. In line with these classifications, a General Dual-Task (GDT) program describes an intervention which uses different unspecific training tasks in comparison to the assessment tasks; while a Specific Dual-Task (SDT) program consists of training tasks that address a comparable cognitive dimension as the assessment task (cf. Textbox 2).

Textbox 2 – Classification of the cognitive-motor intervention

Cognitive-motor interventions are also referred to as dual-task (DT) interventions, which require the simultaneous conduction of a mental and a physical task, e.g. walking while counting backwards [8]. Wollesen and Voelcker-Rehage [8] subdivided dual-tasking into different categories in regard to the comparison of training and assessment method:

 • A General dual-task training (GDT) describes an intervention which uses different unspecific training tasks in comparison to the assessment tasks

 • During Specific dual-task training (SDT) the intervention consists of training tasks that addresses a comparable cognitive dimension as the assessment task

In line with these classifications

 • A General dual-task exergame (GDT-EX) describes an exergame intervention which uses different unspecific training tasks in comparison to the assessment tasks

A Specific dual-task exergame (SDT-EX) intervention consists of training tasks that address a comparable cognitive dimension as the assessment task

Dual-task training programs have traditionally been delivered face-to-face in group settings or one-on-one. Positive effects on cognitive-motor performance can be observed if the training has a minimum duration of twelve sessions or 330 min as well as an advancement in task difficulty and progression [8]. Due to rapidly changing technologies, it has become more popular to utilise exercised-based computer games, also known as exergames, for dual-task training. If well-designed, exergames can add a high cognitive demand to physical training, possibly even making use of a virtual environment [19]. Exergaming might also have the benefit of being implemented as an unsupervised, home-based program, which can potentially reduce costs for users.

The purpose of this review was twofold: (i) to summarise existing studies using cognitive-motor interventions and their effects on global cognitive functioning as well as the three dimensions of EF (inhibitory control, working memory and cognitive flexibility) in older people aged 60 years and above, and (ii) to identify the common characteristics of effective interventions in terms of duration, frequency and task progression. We hypothesise that EF can be improved by a specific DT intervention including at least a duration of 330 min or twelve sessions and a progression of task difficulty and task complexity.

Methods

The protocol for this review was prospectively registered with the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO) with the registration number CRD 42018111083.

Search strategy and selection criteria

A systematic electronic database search for relevant articles was performed using MEDLINE (1966 to 2019, week 40), EMBASE (1966 to 2019, week 40) and PsychINFO (1980 to 2019, week 40). The literature search included keywords related to older people, cognitive-motor as well as technology-based or exergaming interventions, and a cognitive outcome (cf. Table 1 for more details; a detailed list of the key terms is added as an Appendix). The process also included a manual search of the reference lists of relevant articles to identify articles that did not show up in the search strategy results. The search within the databases was limited to articles published in English. Two reviewers (AW and BW) independently reviewed the articles by title and abstract to identify all potentially eligible articles following the PRISMA methodology [23]. The process integrated the screening of the articles by title and abstract. All relevant articles regarding title and abstract were integrated into the full text screening. If the screening of the abstract did not clarify the inclusion or exclusion criteria, the full text was extracted. Afterwards, the two reviewers independently assessed full version copies of all potentially eligible articles to determine the ones to be included. Any disagreement on inclusion was resolved by discussion and through consensus by the larger project team (including KvS, ML and KD).

The study selection was limited to randomised controlled trials, control group designs trials and parallel group trials. Study protocols, abstracts or conference abstracts were excluded due to limited information. Articles were included if they met the methodological inclusion and exclusion criteria.

The target population included community-dwelling participants with a minimum age of 60 and a mean age above 65 without a medical condition or recent medical treatment. This included participants who lived independently in private homes, in independent-living units or retirement villages. We included participants with no cognitive deficits or with a diagnosis of mild cognitive impairment only. Therefore, we agreed to exclude studies including participants with pre-intervention scores below 25 on the MMSE or equivalent on the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) score. Trials in which participants were selected based on a medical condition (e.g. stroke, Parkinson disease, multiple sclerosis, schizophrenia or dementia) and trials including only participants who received a recent medical treatment (e.g. surgery or medication) were excluded.

Trials with interventions using at least one cognitive-motor exercise while standing or walking were included. The training could be delivered using traditional dual-tasking methods or modern technology. Dual-tasking or cognitive-motor interventions required simultaneous cognitive and motor exercise. Additionally, interventions using technologies could use consoles, virtual reality systems or bespoke software. Trials presenting on seated training programs were excluded. We extracted whether the motor task was conducted while standing or walking due to the different levels of complexity of the motor tasks. When the intervention required the participant to work with a visual feedback or biofeedback as part of the technology-based game, this was considered a cognitive load.

Finally, each study had at least one cognitive outcome, evaluated as a primary or secondary outcome. These cognitive domains included general cognition, general executive function, set-shifting, inhibitory control, working memory, visuospatial planning, verbal fluency, attentional control, processing speed and dual-task costs.

Data extraction and quality assessment

Eligible articles were screened independently by two review authors (AW, BW). Data on sample characteristics, type of a traditional motor-cognitive or technological exergaming intervention as well the frequency and duration of the intervention was extracted. Table 1 provides an overview of all included articles including the authors, year of publication, included participants, study aims, intervention, cognitive and motor task measurement, and training duration.

To assess risk of bias and quality, we used the PEDro scale [24]. Articles scoring 6–10 points on the PEDro quality assessment were considered to be of high quality, articles with a score of 4–5 of fair quality and articles with a score of 0–3 of poor quality (cf. Table 2).

Statistical analysis of the meta-analysis

We extracted data of the intervention and control group for each of the outcome variables of interest (cf. Textbox 1) as a difference in means (MD). Most of the studies reported means and Standard Deviations (SD) permitting effect size estimation, otherwise, these were derived from summary statistics reported in the articles, such as t-values or p-values. The cognitive data from individual studies were then pooled in meta-analyses to estimate the overall effect of the training intervention on cognition. Studies were grouped by cognitive task domain and individual meta-analyses were conducted for each EF outcome. As the studies used different control groups (e.g. active controls with another intervention, for example a single-task motor intervention or an education program or inactive controls with normal daily activities cf. Table 3), the meta-analysis was conducted with a subgroup analysis regarding active and inactive controls. A random-effects model with a generic inverse variance method was used, which gives more weight to studies with less variance in the pooled analyses. Results are presented as effect size with 95% confidence interval (CI) and respective values for null hypothesis tests (e.g. cognitive-motor training has no effect on EF). Heterogeneity between studies was investigated by calculating the Q-value and I2 statistic, which quantified the proportion variation that is due to heterogeneity rather than chance. Quantitative syntheses and meta-analyses were produced using Review Manager 5 Software (RevMan 5).

Results

Classification of included studies

The initial search generated 2593 articles of which 705 were duplicates (Fig. 1). For the final review, 25 articles were identified eligible and integrated into further assessment.

Fig. 1
figure 1

Flow chart of study selection process

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Cohort characteristics

Studies included samples of 13 to 134 participants (median 36). The mean age of participants ranged from 66.8 to 86.0 years (cf. Table 1). Both genders were included in 18 of the trials, generally with a higher percentage of female participants. Seven studies did not provide any information on the gender of their participants [25,26,27,28,29,30,31].

Table 1 Characteristics of included studies
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Quality assessment and bias

Based on the quality assessment, 17 articles were considered to be of high quality, five of fair quality and only three articles of low quality. Eighteen of the included articles were RCTs, of which 15 were of high and three of fair quality. Two of the seven controlled trials were rated of high quality, two of fair quality and three of low quality. In general, most studies reported the in/exclusion criteria (92%), comparable baseline characteristic for the control and intervention groups on the most important prognostic indicators (80%), and group comparisons (80%). All studies provided a measurement of variability for at least one key outcome. Only three studies (12%) blinded their participants. Four studies (16%) reported blinding of the therapists who administered the exercise intervention, and only three studies trials (12%) reported blinding of all assessors for at least one key outcome (cf. Table 2).

Table 2 Quality assessment of included studies according to PEDro scale
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Intervention characteristics

The intervention characteristics, including the type of intervention, a description of the motor and cognitive components, frequency and dose are outlined in Table 3.

The cognitive load, which was combined with the motor exercise, showed different levels of cognitive demand. Exergaming situations differed between commercially available computer games to laboratory-based training forms. In many cases the digital game required players to interact with objects on a screen in the virtual environment, which could be moved or controlled by bodily movements. A cognitive load was also provided, when the intervention required the participant to work with a visual feedback or biofeedback as part of the technology-based game.

The cognitive-motor components differed between the evaluated studies. Fourteen trials used a traditional dual-task intervention and eleven trials used modern technology or a combination of traditional and technology-based interventions. The included studies show a range of interventions, which differed in both motor exercise and cognitive load of the additional cognitive task. Motor interventions varied from specific walking or stepping tasks to general balance and strength training (cf. Table 3). Most trials included different additional cognitive tasks to the motor components (e.g. working memory tasks, verbal fluency tasks, visual search tasks) and can be named as GDT intervention. Five out of 25 studies used a SDT training (e.g. body shifting to control a virtual paddle) to examine the influence of a cognitive-motor training on cognition [31, 39, 40, 46].

Table 3 Data extraction of included studies
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Results on cognition

The intervention results, including effects on global cognition, global executive function, mental flexibility, inhibitory control, working memory, visuospatial planning, verbal fluency, attentional control, processing speed as well as dual-task costs are outlined in Tables 3 and 4.

Table 4 Data extraction - Results on different cognitive dimensions
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Effects on global cognitive function

Seven studies examined the effects of training intervention on global cognitive function [25, 32,33,34, 36, 38, 47]. All training interventions were conducted as a GDT training and two used the exergaming approach [32, 33].

Five out of seven studies showed positive improvements of global cognitive function tests such as MMSE, MoCA or comparable instruments [32, 34, 36, 38, 47] (cf. Table 3). All but one of these studies used a GDT training method. Although all studies used a walking or stepping motor component, cognitive tasks were heterogeneous. While Hars and colleagues [34] required their participants to adapt their pace to the rhythm of the music, Kitazawa and colleagues [36] used a targeted stepping exercise while participants needed to recite a children’s song. Similarly, Nishiguchi and colleagues [38] delivered a walking exercise while conducting a verbal fluency task. Bacha and colleagues [32] showed positive effects on global cognitive function due to an exergame intervention, using the Xbox Kinect system, which required whole body movements for conduction of the virtual game on screen. The two studies that did not show a positive impact on global cognitive function used a GDT. The study, by Ansai and colleagues, with a total duration of 60 h (three times per week over 12 weeks), used a combination of a general balance, strength and walking training with a cognitive arithmetic task [25]. Eggenberger and colleagues [33] provided the Dance Dance Revolution GDT exergame without significant changes in general cognitive function with a duration of 18 h (three times per week 30 min for 12 weeks).

Six studies could be integrated into the meta-analysis (Fig. 2). Three of the studies had an inactive control group and three had an active control group (cf. Table 3).

Fig. 2
figure 2

Training effects on global cognitive function

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Overall, the interventions showed a significant mean difference of 0.60 [95% CI 0.29–0.90] on global cognitive functioning. This effect was observed in comparison to active (mean difference 0.53) and inactive control groups (mean difference 1.0) with no significant difference for the control group conditions (cf. Fig. 2). However, these results were heterogeneous (I2 = 60%) due to the effects of the studies by Morita and colleagues [47] and Eggenberger and colleagues [33]. A sensitivity analysis excluding both studies revealed the effect for the comparison of the DT training intervention to an inactive control or active control group did not remain significant.

Effects on inhibitory control

Eleven studies evaluated training effects on inhibitory control, with six of these studies showing improvements [31, 33, 35, 41, 42]. Hiyamizu and colleagues [35] used a walking exercise combined with an alphabetical task while testing verbal fluency. Eggenberger and colleagues [33] and Schoene and colleagues [31, 40] used a dancing exergame for theirs trials, which required the participant to take a step in different directions following instructions on the screen, while controlling speed and inhibiting a step presented in a different colour. Wollesen and colleagues [41, 42] conducted a progressive task-managing training (e.g. task prioritisation and task switching) in combination with balance and walking exercises. These trials used SDT and GDT interventions and had a duration between twelve and 36 h. The remaining five studies showed no significant change in inhibitory control [15, 26, 30, 39, 45]. These trials used SDT and GDT interventions and had a duration between twelve and 24 h. However, the studies differed with regard to the activities of the control groups (cf. Table 3). A meta-analysis was conducted on seven of these studies.

As shown in Fig. 3, studies with an active control group showed benefits on inhibitory control with a significant mean difference of 0.71 [95% CI 0.33–1.09], whereas the studies with inactive controls did not. However, heterogeneity was high with I2 = 95%. This large heterogeneity could have been a result of the data by Eggenberger and colleagues [33]. After running a sensitivity analysis without the study by Eggenberger and colleagues [33] the heterogeneity reduced to I2 = 46% and the effect between the training and the control groups did not remain significant.

Fig. 3
figure 3

Training effects on inhibitory control

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Effects on working memory

Seven out of nine interventions reported improved working memory [26, 27, 30, 38, 40, 43, 48]. Three of these interventions were GDT exergames [27, 30, 40] three were GDT programs [26, 38, 43, 48] and You and colleagues [43] provided a DT walking training with additional working memory tasks. The interventions conducted by Falbo and colleagues [15] and MacLean and colleagues [37] did not increase the examined working memory task.

The results of the meta-analysis for working memory showed a significant mean difference of 2.09 [95% CI -0.1-4.30] of the two studies who had an inactive control group. The comparison of a DT intervention with physical active controls did not show advantages for the DT training on improving working memory. In addition, there was no overall effect on working memory for the integrated five studies in the meta-analysis (cf. Fig. 4). Heterogeneity was moderate (I2 = 47%), mainly caused by the studies with an active control group (I2 = 57%).

Fig. 4
figure 4

Training effects on working memory

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Effects on cognitive flexibility (i.e. set-shifting)

Seven out of ten interventions showed improved set-shifting after a GDT or a GDT exergame intervention, using the TMT A/B, TMT B-A or the verbal random number generation test (RNG) [15, 27, 29, 33, 35, 38, 40]. The training duration of these interventions was between twelve and 36 h. The three interventions by Kayama and colleagues [28] (a GDT in combination with SDT Tai Chi), MacLean and colleagues [37] (SDT with walking to music) and Schaettin and colleagues [39] (GDT exergame with stepping on a force platform) did not increase set-shifting abilities. The meta-analysis of five studies that could be added into the analysis did not show any effects of the DT interventions (cf. Fig. 5).

Fig. 5
figure 5

Training effects on cognitive flexibility

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Effects on visuospatial planning

Four studies intended to improve visuospatial planning by using GDT [25, 29, 36, 40]. Only the programs run by Kitazawa and colleagues [36] and Schoene and colleagues [40] improved visuospatial planning.

Effects on attentional control

Attentional control was examined in nine of the training studies. Seven of these led to significant improvements of attentional control. Four of these studies used a GDT intervention [35, 38, 41, 42, 47]. Two studies conducted a SDT exergame intervention [39, 40] and one used a GDT exergame [27].

The GDT programs by Ansai and colleagues [25] and Theill and colleagues [48] failed to show effects on attentional control. Both studies conducted a GDT program, which required the participants to engage in walking as well as resistance training interventions combined with a numerical task or a cognitive load.

Effects on processing speed

Processing speed was the most examined variable within the cognitive tasks of the included studies. A total number of 15 studies focused on this outcome. All exergaming interventions (n = 8) except of the one by Kayama and colleagues [28] showed improvement of processing speed [27, 29,30,31, 33, 40, 44, 45]. Moreover, the two GDT programs by Heiden & Lajoie [46], and Nishiguschi and colleagues [38] improved processing speed.

In contrast the GDT programs by Azadian and colleagues [26], Hiyamizu and colleagues [35], MacLean and colleagues [37] and Morita and colleagues [47] did not affect processing speed. All trials used a GDT walking intervention, which was combined with different cognitive tasks, e.g. counting backwards or naming out of memory. MacLean and colleagues [37] and Hars and colleagues [34] both engaged their participants in a pace adaption task, which required participants to adjust the speed of their pace to the rhythm of the music played along the walking exercise.

Effects on DTC

The studies by Ansai and colleagues [25]; MacLean and colleagues [37] and Wollesen and colleagues [42] also addressed cognitive-motor interference by analysing DTCs. All programs were able to reduce cognitive-motor interference, leading to improved performance on the cognitive or motor task.

Influence of training methods

Overall, 24 interventions were able to improve at least one cognitive outcome. The majority of the studies increased the cognitive outcome that was specific to the training intervention (cf. Table 3). Three studies were not able to show effects on their cognitive test battery [25, 30, 47]. The studies conducted by Ansai and colleagues [25] and Morita and colleagues [47] integrated a cognitive test that was not correlated to the cognitive dimensions that were addressed in the training program.

Moreover, seven studies showed improvement of cognitive abilities that were specifically addressed as a part of the training intervention. Three of them were exergaming interventions [27, 33, 40]. In addition, the nine exergaming studies that examined effects on processing speed or reaction times were all able to show improvements on processing speed.

A progression in ST or DT complexity was provided by nine interventions (cf. Table 3). Four studies used an individualised adaption to the training difficulties (cf. Table 3). All eight studies with an individualised or progressive training that examined executive functions were able to improve these functions. Cognitive-motor training was more effective in comparison to other training interventions if it combined cognitive training with multicomponent exercises including balance or coordination tasks (cf. Table 3).

Influence of overall dose

The frequency, session duration and dose of the interventions ranged from 1 to 3 days per week, 20 to 90 min per session and an overall dose of eight to 104 h in total. The shortest intervention duration was 4 weeks and the longest was 16 weeks. The frequency, session duration and dose of the interventions for studies with positive effects on one or more cognitive functions did not differ for studies not showing effects on cognitive function.

To improve global cognitive functioning the total training duration ranged between eight and 104 h [32, 34, 36, 38, 47]. The frequency differed between one or two times per week with 30, 60 or 90 min sessions.

Inhibitory control increased with interventions provided between 12 and 24 h. They were conducted once [41, 42], twice [35] or three times per week [31, 33].

Effects on working memory was shown with training programs that provided 12 up to 36 h of exercise [26, 27, 30, 38, 40, 43, 48]. The frequency differed between once a week [48], twice [30, 38], three times [26, 27, 40] and five sessions [43].

Benefits on set-shifting was gained by exercise interventions with a duration between 12 and 36 h with a frequency of one time per week [29, 38], twice per week [15, 35] or three times per week [27, 33, 40].

The programs that were able to improve visuospatial planning were provided once a week with 60 min for 7 weeks with a total duration of 8 h [36] and three times a week for 20 min with a total duration of 16 h [40].

Attention control increased with exercise interventions of a duration between 12 and 104 h of training [35, 38, 41, 42, 47]. Four of these programs were executed once a week with 60 to 90 min [38, 41, 42, 47]. The intervention by Hiyamazu and colleagues had two 60 min sessions per week.

Improvements of processing speed were found for exercise programs with a duration of eight up to 36 h. Most of these interventions were exergames that were provides three times per week for 20, 30 or 60 min [27, 31, 33, 40, 45]. The other programs had a frequency of two times a week with 30 or 60 min [30, 44, 46] or once session per week with 60 or 90 min [29, 38].

Dual-task costs were reduced with interventions with a duration from twelve provided once a week for 60 min [42] or 60 h of training three times a week with 50 min [25]; MacLean and colleagues [37] did not report their training duration and frequency.

In summary, a dose of at least 60 min training per week (regardless of the number of sessions per week) and a total duration of 12 h of training was necessary to gain positive effects on the different cognitive domains.

Discussion

The aim of this review and meta-analysis was to investigate whether cognitive-motor interventions improve cognitive function in healthy older people. We focused on interventions that implemented conventional dual-task training and examined whether training methods show a beneficial effect on global cognition and specific executive functions (inhibitory control, working memory and cognitive flexibility). Secondly, we investigated cognitive effects of technology-based dual-task interventions, so called exergames. Overall, we found equal proportions of general cognitive-motor (n = 14) and exergame interventions (n = 11). Most studies conducted a GDT (n = 19), while we also found some studies using SDT (n = 6). However, the studies differed in experimental design, training type. Dose as well as outcome or control assessment.

While all studies used valid experimental designs, the training settings differed in many of the investigated trials. Moreover, sample sizes showed great differences. For example, You and colleagues [43], Morita and colleagues [47] and Heiden & Lajoie [46] showed significant results for at least two specific executive functions in their population, with a sample size of less than 20 participants. In comparison, Eggenberger and colleagues [27] included more than 80 participants, which might have led to a higher statistical power and stronger result. These interpretations were supported by the additional sensitivity analysis. After excluding the studies of Morita and colleagues [47] and Eggenberger and colleagues [27] the heterogeneity was reduced, however, the significant results also disappeared. Additionally, the pre-assessment of cognitive ability of participants differed in a majority of studies. Many studies used a valid measurement, e.g. MMSE or MoCA scores, however diversity in testing instruments, e.g. Mini-Cog, 3MS or TDAS score, as well as diversity in the population’s baseline characteristics hamper inter-study comparison. As the reason of this review is to summarise cognitive effects, the same mental baseline condition is of importance to allow a more detailed interpretation of results.

Despite the use of valid assessment instruments to quantify results across all studies, measurements were likewise heterogeneous, hindering a holistic interpretation of effects. For example, studies used different versions of established measurements, e.g. of the Stroop task, which could be delivered as an audio-verbal, as well as visual-verbal or visual-manual task. In general, assessment instruments varied between written or computerised measurements to the active conduction of specific functions, which increased difficulty of comparing assessment structures.

Effects on global cognition and executive functions

We found that general cognitive-motor interventions improve global cognition and executive functions. All but one study found improvement of at least one specific function. Of note, type of exercise, dose, intervention settings and outcomes differed across trials which allowed for fractional interpretation of the given results only.

Effects on global cognition

Our meta-analysis of six studies revealed that cognitive-motor interventions improve global cognition. However, the effect size of this improvement was relatively small (standardised mean difference of 0.6 points on the MMSE and MoCA, 95% CI 0.3–0.9) and the heterogeneity between studies was relatively large (I2 = 60%), suggesting that additional evidence is required. Only two studies showed a statistically significant improvement, driving the results of the meta-analyses [27, 47]. Both studies were considered of high quality. The intervention of Morita and colleagues [47] comprised of a total of 104 h of conventional DT training, with 3MMS as their global cognition outcome, and the intervention of Eggenberger and colleagues [27] comprised of 18 h of DT video game training, with MoCA as their global cognition outcome. While the intervention of Eggenberger and colleagues [27] included task-specific exercises with individual adjusted progressions, the program of Morita and colleagues [47] had a training period of 18 months. This suggests that both training specificity and a long intervention period might be beneficial to improve cognitive function.

Nevertheless, it has to be reflected, that the MMSE and MoCA are assessment and screening tools, and not typically used as outcome measures. Therefore, further research is required to identify effective components of cognitive-motor interventions for improving global cognition with more sensitive test batteries (e.g. Mindsteams [49] or CERAD-col [50].

Effects on inhibitory control

Six out of eleven DT training programs significantly improved inhibitory control [31, 33, 35, 40,41,42]. The meta-analysis revealed that cognitive-motor interventions improved inhibitory control. The effect size was Z = 3.66 (p < 0.001; mean difference 0.61, 95% CI 0.33–1.09) with high heterogeneity (I2 = 95%). Remarkably, this effect was strongest when comparing interventions to active controls, possibly the result of one study by Eggenberger and colleagues [33] with a very large effect size Z = 3.85 (p < 0.001; mean difference of 9.0, 95% CI 7.4–10.6). This study comprised of 18 h of DT video game, that included stepping forward, backwards and sideways to music while following cues (i.e. arrows) presented on a screen.

Most programs that showed benefits of inhibitory control included specific training of this cognitive ability in the intervention [31, 33, 41, 42]. The training duration to gain positive effects was at least 12 h. This suggests ageing may affect executive and automatic inhibition differently [51]. Executive inhibition involves consciousness as well as control for the suppression of irrelevant stimuli or responses [51]. These abilities are integrated within an array of training interventions and physical exercise that integrate balance and coordination tasks, because these exercises require skills and cognitive effort to respond to immediate external stimuli that might arise from an unpredictable environment or situations [45]. Therefore, one might argue that these interventions are beneficial to improve executive functions, including inhibitory control. We further found that inhibitory control improved following cognitive-motor exercises that focus on attentional performance. This supports previous findings of improved attentional and inhibition performance following a dual-task training intervention [8, 52,53,54].

Effects on working memory

Working memory only improved in trials which specifically addressed memory abilities during training situations. Most studies used a memory task while conducting physical exercise, which appeared to be stimulating memory function. The results of the meta-analysis for working memory showed no significant effects. A previous review by Kelly and colleagues [55] was able to demonstrate that specific cognitive training can improve the addressed domains of cognition, whereas results of a general mental stimulation were heterogeneous. As indicated by the studies that improved working memory (cf. Table 3), there should be a certain amount of task specific training to gain positive effects on working memory. Accordingly, this might be the reason why the study data remained inconsistent if the task specificity was low.

Effects on cognitive flexibility

Set-shifting was analysed as a primary outcome in nine studies (cf. Table 3). Seven of the examined interventions showed improvement of set-shifting after a GDT or a GDT exergaming intervention. Unfortunately, only a few studies could be included in the meta-analysis, showing no significant effects of cognitive-motor interventions on set-shifting. However, set-shifting is an executive function that involves unconscious and conscious cognitive shifting of attention [10, 15]. Such processes can be supported by processing speed. Most of the exergaming interventions (n = 9) were able to increase processing speed; future studies could elucidate whether these effects transfer to improvements in set-shifting ability.

Influence of the training methods

Based on the presented results no major differences in results between methods could be identified. A tendency towards a positive impact on processing speed and attentional control was observed within the exergaming group. On the other hand, general cognitive-motor interventions seemingly have a positive impact on attention, mental flexibility and working memory abilities. Nonetheless these results could not be generalised and were influenced by many methodological factors.

Type of intervention

An inter-study comparison between technology-based exercise forms and general dual-task methods was not possible. Types of training methods varied from “off-the-shelf” computerised games to specifically developed modules. For example, five out of fifteen studies used the interactive step-based game “Dance Dance Revolution” (StepMania) out of which three were SDT intervention types. While Schoene and colleagues [31, 40] implemented a home-based setting, the remaining trials chose a supervised laboratory setting. Three other studies used commercially available games for Nintendo Wii or Kinect Xbox while using various equipment, e.g. an additional balance board. Although the use of modern technologies evolved throughout the last decade, a general implementation and usage of exergames still seems unusual in older people. Therefore, the acceptance and feasibility of emerging exergaming modules should be questioned. However, the current findings support the potential of serious gaming and engaging, active and home-based exercise methods for older people [14, 56, 57].

Dose of effective interventions

We hypothesised that a higher total intervention dosage would lead to a larger effect size of the intervention. Intervention duration varied between the studies; some trials had a total duration of 6 weeks, while others provided more than 25 weeks of intervention. Trials with a longer total intervention duration and a higher frequency of training sessions seemed to have greater effect size [15, 26,27,28, 33, 35, 38, 47]. Nevertheless, irrespective of total exercise dose, 24 out of 25 studies showed positive effects on cognitive functions with a training duration of eight to 104 h (cf. Table 1). The frequency differed from one up to three sessions per week, however, the studies with one session per week had a training duration of at least 60 min per session. Based on these findings (cf. Tables 1, 3 and 4), we suggest that a total exercise dose of at least 12 h should be recommended to gain positive effects on EF. Moreover, the duration of all sessions provided per week should be at least 60 min. It has to be noted, that the studies that were not able to improve cognition used the same amount of exercises as shown to be effective to gain positive effects (except of [37] who did not provide information about duration and frequency). Therefore, other reasons such as training specificity or the individual response to cognitive-motor training might have to be considered to explain the results.

Specificity of effective interventions

Our hypothesis that the training intervention should be task-specific to gain highest benefits on EF was supported by the available study data. The majority of studies that included task-specific training and testing of EF improved the specific domain of EF. As the meta-analyses revealed inconsistent findings for the different dimensions of EF, further research should assess the effects of different complexities of cognitive tasks on specific executive functions. Several reviews have shown effects of acute and regular exercise on cognition [58, 59]. However, a wide inter-individual variability has been found in the effects of acute and/or regular exercise [60], suggesting there might be responders and non-responders. Therefore, future studies should address aspects of, e.g. responder analysis [61], dose-response relationships [62] and more specific tailoring of the dual-task exercise program [63]. Of note, a large number of general training principles (for an overview cf. Herold et al., 2019 [62]) were not addressed in most studies. There was a lack of detail on addition to training specificity and progression, aspects of variation, overload, reversibility, periodisation, and programming in the provided exercise interventions. These aspects of training methods and mechanisms should be addressed in future clinical trials to allow clinical practice recommendations.

Limitations

This review has some limitations that need to be addressed. Certain interventions were not included in the review, despite training highly coordinated tasks such as dancing. Following our definition of a DT training, a motor task needed to be performed at the same time of an ongoing observational task, e.g. on a screen. We acknowledge that these types of interventions might add further insights when compared to the more specified DT programs. Second, in order not to unduly exclude studies including people with mild cognitive impairment, we used a slightly lower cut-point (MMSE < 23) to allow subgroup analyses in cognitively healthy versus people with mild cognitive impairment. These different interpretations of non-cognitively impaired older people might have an impact on the study results. Nevertheless, we did not find a systematic direction, if the training interventions gain higher or lower benefits for participants with lower scores in the MMSE.

Conclusion

Conventional cognitive-motor interventions as well as technology-based exergames can show positive effects on global cognition and inhibition in healthy older people aged 60 and older. The cognitive domains that were influenced by dual-task training programs varied from attentional skills to inhibitory control or mental set-shifting abilities and the reduction of dual-task costs. New technologies can complement home-based and unsupervised training methods, as a useful tool for older people to independently perform adequate training sessions. Of note, results of the meta-analysis were heterogeneous and need to be interpreted carefully due to differences in interventions, measurements and results. Additionally, the influence of different levels of cognitive demands and the influence on specific executive functions should be investigated. While we recommend a minimal dose of 12 h with 60 min per week to achieve effects, this is still preliminary and warrants further research.

Availability of data and materials

The supporting data is available via the corresponding author.

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Acknowledgements

KvS is supported by a Human Frontier Science Program Fellowship (LT001080/2017). ML and KD are supported by the Australian National Health and Medical Research Council.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Human Movement Science, University of Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany

    Bettina Wollesen & Alicia Wildbredt

  2. Biological Psychology and Neuroergonomics, Technical University of Berlin, Fasanenstr. 1, D-10623, Berlin, Germany

    Bettina Wollesen

  3. Neuroscience Research Australia, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia

    Kimberley S. van Schooten, Mei Ling Lim & Kim Delbaere

  4. School of Public Health and Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia

    Kimberley S. van Schooten, Mei Ling Lim & Kim Delbaere

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Contributions

AW, BW, KvS, ML and KD conceived and designed this study and developed the search strategy. AW and BW conducted the search as well as the study selection and quality scoring individually according to the PRISMA statement, while KD, KvS, ML critically reviewed the results. BW performed the meta-analysis for the review. The final manuscript was drafted together by BW and AW and was critically reviewed by KD, KvS and ML. The author(s) read and approved the final manuscript.

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Appendix

Appendix

Search Strategy:

  1. 1

    Aged or elder* or senior* or geriatric* or older or aged 80) and over mp = title, abstract, heading word, drug trade name, original title, device manufacturer, drug manufacturer, device trade name, keyword, floating subheading word, candidate term word]

  2. 2

    Dual-task* or exergam* or motor-cognitive or motor$ cogn* or video gam* or computer$ gam*).mp. [mp = title, abstract, heading word, drug trade name, original title, device manufacturer, drug manufacturer, device trade name, keyword, floating subheading word, candidate term word]

  3. 3

    Intervention or program* or training* or exercise or exercise therapy or physical train*).mp. [mp = title, abstract, heading word, drug trade name, original title, device manufacturer, drug manufacturer, device trade name, keyword, floating subheading word, candidate term word]

  4. 4

    Cognition or cognitive function* or executive function* or attention*).mp. [mp = title, abstract, heading word, drug trade name, original title, device manufacturer, drug manufacturer, device trade name, keyword, floating subheading word, candidate term word]

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Wollesen, B., Wildbredt, A., van Schooten, K.S. et al. The effects of cognitive-motor training interventions on executive functions in older people: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Eur Rev Aging Phys Act 17, 9 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1186/s11556-020-00240-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s11556-020-00240-y

Keywords

European Review of Aging and Physical Activity

ISSN: 1861-6909

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