Walking Interventions and Cognitive Health in Older Adults: A Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials

Abstract

Objective: This systematic review summarizes the effectiveness and the dose of walking interventions on specific cognition domains in older adults, including executive function, memory, attention, processing speed, and global cognition. Data source: Published randomized controlled trials in PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science until 10 May 2023. Study Inclusion and Exclusion Criteria: Studies include older adults without Alzheimer’s or related dementias, involving a walking intervention and performance-based neuropsychological assessments for executive function, memory, processing speed, attention, or global cognition. Data Extraction: Two independent research assistants reviewed 8424 studies and included 17 studies. Data Synthesis: Participant demographics, intervention features (type, intensity, time, frequency, duration, format, and context), cognitive assessment tools, and main findings. Results: Nine studies found a favorable effect of walking interventions on at least one cognitive domain. Walking interventions improved executive function (n = 6) and memory (n = 3). These studies delivered the intervention individually (n = 3) for at least 40 minutes (n = 6) each time, three times per week (n = 8), between 6 to 26 weeks (n = 8), and walking at a moderate to vigorous intensity (n = 7). Conclusion: Walking interventions may improve specific domains of cognitive function in older adults, particularly executive function and memory. More standardized reporting of intervention design and participant compliance based on published guidelines is needed to determine the dose-response association and the long-term effect of walking interventions on cognition.