Abstract
This study investigated the effects of physical activity on cognitive and motor function in Alzheimer's disease patients. This study searched randomized controlled trials (RCTs) from PubMed, EMBASE, Science Direct, and Web of Science databases up to October 2024. The main evaluation tools were Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), Timed Up and Go Test (TUG), 6-Minute walk test (6MWT) and Alzheimer's Disease Assessment Scale-cognitive subscale (ADAS-cog). Mean difference (MD) with 95% confidence interval (CI) were calculated. A total of 25 randomized controlled trials involving 2213 participants were included. The MMSE score in exercise group was higher than that in control group (MD = 2.24, p = 0.002). Aerobic exercise (MD = 2.83, p = 0.01) and combined exercise (MD = 3.09, p = 0.03) in exercise group were significantly better than those in control group. There was no significant difference in strength exercise between the two groups (MD = 0.54, p = 0.48). At low intensity (MD = 5.75, p < 0.001) and moderate intensity (MD = 1.74, p = 0.008), MMSE scores in the exercise group were higher than those in the control group, whereas high-intensity exercise showed no benefit (MD = 0, p = 0.99). On the 6MWT scale, aerobic exercise scores were higher in the exercise group (MD = 51.55, p = 0.03), while there was no significant difference between the two groups under combined exercise (MD = 62.76, p = 0.45). The TUG scale (MD = -0.76, p = 0.06) and the ADAS-cog scale (MD = -1.99, p = 0.23) showed no significant difference between the two groups. Low intensity aerobic exercise improved cognitive and motor function in Alzheimer's disease patients, while strength exercise or high-impact exercise had little effect. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s11571-025-10326-x.