title: A systematic review of cognitive effects of exercise in depression.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of the present systematic review and meta-analysis was to evaluate the impact of physical exercise on cognitive symptoms in depressed adult patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  Systematic literature search was performed in Web of Science™ and CINAHL from inception to August 2016. Two reviewers independently selected randomized trials evaluating the effect of exercise on cognitive functions in patients with a validated diagnosis of depression. Outcome measures included global cognition and different cognitive domains (speed of processing, attention/vigilance, working memory, verbal and visual memory, and reasoning).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Eight trials met inclusion criteria (637 patients). A fixed-effects model showed absence of beneficial effect on global cognition (Hedges' g = 0.07, 95% CI -0.08 to 0.24, I2= 0%) as well as on specific cognitive domains. Sensitivity analyses did not show an impact of exercise in studies with shorter intervention duration compared to longer trials (between group heterogeneity Q = 3.564, df = 1, P = 0.059), single session per week compared to multiple sessions (Q = 2.691, df = 1, P = 0.101) and low exercise intensity compared with moderate/high intensity (Q = 2.952, df = 1, P = 0.086).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our meta-analysis did not observe a substantial benefit of physical exercise on cognitive symptoms in depression.
authors.affiliation: Department of Brain and Behavioral Science, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy.
authors.forename: N
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0002-3128-1592
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Brondino
authors.affiliation: Department of Brain and Behavioral Science, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rocchetti
authors.affiliation: Department of Brain and Behavioral Science, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Fusar-Poli
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Adapted Motor Activity, Department of Public Health, Experimental Medicine & Forensic Science, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Codrons
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Adapted Motor Activity, Department of Public Health, Experimental Medicine & Forensic Science, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Correale
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Adapted Motor Activity, Department of Public Health, Experimental Medicine & Forensic Science, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Vandoni
authors.affiliation: WHO Collaborating Centre for Research and Training in Mental Health and Service Evaluation, Section of Psychiatry, University of Verona, Verona, Italy.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Barbui
authors.affiliation: Department of Brain and Behavioral Science, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Politi
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003071:Cognition / Q000502:physiology*; D003863:Depression / Q000523:psychology*; D005081:Exercise Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: cognition; depressive disorder; exercise; meta-analysis