Exercise helped thinking across 10 studies

The review

1. 01

   Who took part

   385 people in 10 studies from seven countries. Most had schizophrenia, and their average age was about 37, with a range of about 23 to 55.

2. 02

   What they did

   The exercise groups mostly did aerobic exercise, such as cycling, treadmill work or bodyweight routines, for about 12 weeks. The sessions were supervised, with two to four a week of 20 to 60 minutes. Most of the other groups had usual care or were on a waiting list.

3. 03

   What happened

   Exercise improved overall thinking more than other groups did. It also helped working memory and attention. Social thinking improved in three studies. Speed, memory and reasoning showed no clear difference.

What the review found

1. HelpedOther outcomes

   Across 10 studies, exercise helped overall thinking more than other groups did.

   • Rule: With a coach or therapistused

   Pooled analysis of 10 studies with 383 people · vs people on usual care, a waiting list or other activities · ⚠ mixes trials with other kinds of study

2. HelpedFocus

   Across 3 studies, exercise helped attention more than other groups did.

   • Rule: With a coach or therapistused

   Pooled analysis of 3 studies with 104 people · vs people on usual care, a waiting list or other activities · ⚠ mixes trials with other kinds of study

3. HelpedFocus

   Across 7 studies, exercise helped working memory more than other groups did.

   • Rule: With a coach or therapistused

   Pooled analysis of 7 studies with 282 people · vs people on usual care, a waiting list or other activities · ⚠ mixes trials with other kinds of study

Source