Publication Date

5-2023

Advisor(s) - Committee Chair

Kimberly Green, Lauren Bland, Brian Weiler

Degree Program

Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders

Degree Type

Master of Science

Abstract

Purpose: Previous research showed that exercise positively impacts cognition, specifically executive functioning. This systematic review aims to determine the impact of exercise on cognitive functions in people with Down Syndrome.

Method: A systematic review of the research literature related to the influence of exercise on cognition for individuals with Down syndrome was carried out. Included studies were evaluated for level of evidence and appraised for strength of study design. Post-intervention change score differences between groups were analyzed using effect sizes (Hedge’s g).

Results: Fifteen intervention studies met inclusionary criteria and were included in the systematic review. Levels of evidence for fourteen of the studies were either strong or moderate. The strength of evidence appraisal indicated that the majority of studies (n = 9) demonstrate emerging evidence while several (n = 5) demonstrate strong evidence and one demonstrates weak evidence. Mean effect sizes across studies revealed a small-moderate treatment group advantage on executive function measures and a moderate control group advantage on attention measures. Mean effect sizes for language measures as well as for dose frequency and dose intensity were very small.

Discussion: Based on this systematic review, the current literature on exercise's effect on cognition in individuals with a diagnosis of Down syndrome is promising for some domains (e.g., executive functioning) but limited in others (e.g., attention). Further research in this area should seek to clarify inconsistencies in the findings of current studies as well as more carefully examine the impact of dosage frequency and intensity.

Disciplines

Communication Sciences and Disorders | Speech Pathology and Audiology

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