The Effect of Balance-Based Interventions on Cognitive Functions of the Healthy and MCI Elderly: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Background: Aging is an inseparable part of life, accompanied by mild to severe cognitive disorders. This study aimed to investigate the influence of balance-based interventions on cognitive function in older adults, encompassing both healthy individuals and those with mild cognitive impairment (MCI).

Methods: A systematic review was conducted by searching multiple databases up to April 2023, and the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) checklist was followed for reporting. Sixteen studies, comprising 1148 participants aged 43 to 89 years, were analyzed. Balance exercises were administered 1 to 3 times per week, lasting 30 to 60 minutes per session. Methodological quality was assessed using the Downs and Black checklist. A meta-analysis was conducted for executive functions (Stroop Test) and complex attention (Trail-Making Test, TMT A&B), while other outcomes underwent qualitative analysis.

Results: Qualitative analysis revealed positive effects on specific executive functions and complex attention aspects. However, the meta-analysis did not show significant differences in scores between balance training and control groups, which included healthy adults receiving nonbalance interventions or no intervention.

Conclusion: Limited research and methodological constraints hinder conclusive findings on balance-based interventions for older adults' cognitive functions. Yet, these interventions show the potential to enhance executive function and complex attention, emphasizing the need for further research in disability and rehabilitation.