Effect of physical exercise on global cognitive function in adults with mild cognitive impairment: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

Authors

  • Rosa Valeria Chagala Passi Universidad de la Salud del Estado de Puebla, Puebla México https://orcid.org/0009-0006-9808-1292
  • Isaac Eduardo López Saavedra Universidad de la Salud del Estado de Puebla, Puebla México https://orcid.org/0009-0006-8779-2718
  • Heider Miguel González Ramírez Universidad de la Salud del Estado de Puebla, Puebla México https://orcid.org/0009-0004-1881-4720
  • Giovana Itzel Labastida Cordova Universidad de la Salud del Estado de Puebla, Puebla México https://orcid.org/0009-0001-9482-454X
  • José Enrique González Turcott Universidad de la Salud del Estado de Puebla, Puebla México https://orcid.org/0009-0000-0750-8278
  • María Evelina Torres García Universidad de la Salud del Estado de Puebla, Puebla México https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8298-4223

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.56200/mentor.v5i2.12349

Keywords:

Mild Cognitive Impairment, Physical Exercise, Cognitive Function, Older Adults, Aging, Envejecimiento

Abstract

Population aging increases the prevalence of mild cognitive impairment (MCI), which is associated with a higher risk of dementia, highlighting the need for non-pharmacological interventions such as physical exercise. The aim of this study was to analyze the effect of structured physical exercise on overall cognitive function in adults with MCI. A systematic review with meta-analysis was conducted, following PRISMA guidelines, in PubMed, EBSCO, and Cochrane CENTRAL (2016-2026). Randomized controlled trials involving adults with MCI treated with structured exercise were included, with the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) as the primary outcome and a random-effects model. Six studies were included (n = 363). Exercise showed a mean difference of -2.22 points on the MoCA (95% CI: -3.34 to -1.10; p = 0.004), favoring the intervention. Four studies reported estimates favoring exercise, while two included null values. Heterogeneity was high (I² = 82%), and the prediction interval (-4.74 to 0.31) indicated variability in effects. These results suggest that structured physical exercise improves overall cognitive function in adults with MCI; however, the variability in results and methodological limitations make it difficult to determine optimal parameters.

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Author Biographies

Rosa Valeria Chagala Passi, Universidad de la Salud del Estado de Puebla, Puebla México

Medical Student, Universidad de la Salud del Estado de Puebla, Mexico.

Rosa Valeria Chagala Passi is a medical student in the Medical Degree Program (Médico Cirujano) at the Universidad de la Salud del Estado de Puebla (USEP), Mexico. She has training in emergency medicine and advanced prehospital care. Her academic interests focus on neuroscience, critical care medicine, and clinical research. She has participated in several research projects and has presented scientific work at academic conferences and research meetings, with research lines oriented toward neurotrauma, neurodegenerative diseases, and critical care medicine. She currently serves as Head of Research of the Mission Brain USEP Chapter, where she coordinates training activities in research methodology and supervises the development of student academic projects. Additionally, she actively participates in neurosurgical education initiatives as a member of the student chapter of the American Association of Neurological Surgeons (AANS) ESM-IPN.

Isaac Eduardo López Saavedra, Universidad de la Salud del Estado de Puebla, Puebla México

Medical Student, Universidad de la Salud del Estado de Puebla, Mexico.

Eighth-semester medical student in the Medical Degree Program (Médico Cirujano) at the Universidad de la Salud del Estado de Puebla (USEP), Mexico. She has actively participated in academic and scientific outreach activities, notably in the XXXI Interinstitutional Research Conference in Health Sciences of the State of Puebla, where she presented the scientific poster titled “Effects of Aerobic Exercise on Serum/Plasma BDNF Levels in Adults and Its Benefits: A Systematic Review.” She also participated in the 1st Emergency Medicine Congress with the scientific poster “Evaluation of the Impact of POCUS During CPR on the Return of Spontaneous Circulation in Adult Patients: A Systematic Review.” Subsequently, she presented the scientific poster “Modification of Lipid A in Pediatric Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Its Impact on the Immune Response in Cystic Fibrosis: A Systematic Review” at the XXXI Interinstitutional Research Conference in Health Sciences of the State of Puebla. In addition, she has attended academic conferences in neurosurgery organized by Mission: BRAIN as part of her medical training.

Heider Miguel González Ramírez, Universidad de la Salud del Estado de Puebla, Puebla México

Medical Student, Universidad de la Salud del Estado de Puebla, Mexico.

Eighth-semester medical student in the Medical Degree Program (Médico Cirujano) with an interest in clinical research, evidence-based medicine, and exercise physiology. She has actively participated in academic and scientific outreach activities, notably in the XXXI Interinstitutional Research Conference in Health Sciences of the State of Puebla, where she presented the scientific posters “Modification of Lipid A in Pediatric Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Its Impact on the Immune Response in Cystic Fibrosis: A Systematic Review” and “Effects of Aerobic Exercise on Serum/Plasma BDNF Levels in Adults and Its Benefits: A Systematic Review.” She also participated in the 1st Emergency Medicine Congress with the scientific poster “Evaluation of the Impact of POCUS During CPR on the Return of Spontaneous Circulation in Adult Patients: A Systematic Review.”

Giovana Itzel Labastida Cordova, Universidad de la Salud del Estado de Puebla, Puebla México

Medical Student, Universidad de la Salud del Estado de Puebla, Mexico.

Eighth-semester medical student in the Medical Degree Program (Médico Cirujano) at the Universidad de la Salud del Estado de Puebla (USEP), Mexico, and Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) certified by the Mexican Red Cross. Her academic and professional trajectory is distinguished by the integration of prehospital practice with medical training, actively participating in emergency care and academic activities related to emergency medicine. She holds several certifications in prehospital care and continues to pursue professional training in the field of emergency medicine.

In 2025, she participated in the 1st Emergency Medicine Congress with the scientific poster titled “Evaluation of the Impact of POCUS During CPR on the Return of Spontaneous Circulation in Adult Patients: A Systematic Review.” She also collaborated on the research project “Plasma miR-126 as a Prognostic Biomarker in Acute Myocardial Infarction: A Systematic Review,” presented at the XXXI Interinstitutional Research Conference in Health Sciences of the State of Puebla.

She is currently involved in the preparation and presentation of a scientific article related to the impact of physical exercise on global cognitive function in adults with mild cognitive impairment. Her professional interests are oriented toward surgery, emergency medicine, and the comprehensive management of critically ill patients.

José Enrique González Turcott, Universidad de la Salud del Estado de Puebla, Puebla México

Medical Student, Universidad de la Salud del Estado de Puebla, Mexico.

I am currently an eighth-semester student in the Medical Degree Program (Médico Cirujano). My professional vision goes beyond technical learning; my central objective is to achieve a comprehensive understanding of the patient, recognizing that contemporary medicine must be grounded in a solid foundation of scientific evidence. For this reason, I orient my academic training toward the development of refined clinical judgment that integrates the most recent scientific findings in order to ensure high-quality medical care.

During 2025, I participated as a presenter at the 1st Emergency Medicine Congress with the scientific poster titled “Evaluation of the Impact of POCUS During CPR on the Return of Spontaneous Circulation in Adult Patients: A Systematic Review.” I also contributed to the research project “Plasma miR-126 as a Prognostic Biomarker in Acute Myocardial Infarction: A Systematic Review,” which was presented at the XXXI Interinstitutional Research Conference in Health Sciences of the State of Puebla.

Currently, I collaborate in the preparation and presentation of a clinical study focused on the impact of physical exercise on global cognitive function in adults with mild cognitive impairment. My primary professional interests are centered on surgery, emergency medicine, and the comprehensive management of critically ill patients.

María Evelina Torres García , Universidad de la Salud del Estado de Puebla, Puebla México

Head of the Laboratory Department for the Medical Degree Program and Research Coordinator, Universidad de la Salud del Estado de Puebla, Mexico.

 I also serve as a professor of Research Methodology in the School of Medicine. My academic and professional work focuses on health research, neuroscience, mental health, and scientific communication. I have experience coordinating research projects, supervising undergraduate thesis work, organizing academic and scientific events, and promoting science outreach activities. My research interests include neurobiology, mental health, addiction research, and the use of mobile applications for psychiatric treatment and health interventions.

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Published

2026-04-15

How to Cite

Chagala Passi, R. V., López Saavedra, I. E., González Ramírez, H. M., Labastida Cordova, G. I., González Turcott, J. E., & Torres García , M. E. (2026). Effect of physical exercise on global cognitive function in adults with mild cognitive impairment: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. MENTOR Revista De investigación Educativa Y Deportiva , 5(2), 230–251. https://doi.org/10.56200/mentor.v5i2.12349

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Review Articles