Network Meta-Analysis of Dance Versus Exercise for Cognitive Impairment

A 2026 systematic review and network meta-analysis of 209 randomized controlled trials involving 3,773 participants with mild cognitive impairment or dementia. The study compares the efficacy of dance to other exercise modalities on cognitive function, psychological wellbeing, and physical performance outcomes. It reports standardized mean differences, p-values, and Surface Under the Cumulative Ranking Curve (SUCRA) rankings for interventions.

Use Cases

• Compare SUCRA rankings for dance versus other exercise modalities on global cognition measured by MoCA.
• Analyze standardized mean differences and p-values from pairwise meta-analyses for specific outcomes like working memory or physical performance.
• Investigate the evidence base for dance interventions by referencing the 209 included randomized controlled trials and their 3,773 participants.

Strengths

• Analysis is based on 209 randomized controlled trials, a substantial evidence base for a systematic review.
• The study population is clearly defined as 3,773 participants with mild cognitive impairment or dementia.
• The methodology is detailed, including pairwise and network meta-analysis within a random-effects model.

Limitations

• Several favorable SUCRA rankings for dance are driven by single studies, indicating sparse evidence for some conclusions.
• The dataset is a single 56.1 KB PDF summary, not the underlying raw trial data, limiting direct analytical reuse.
• The comparative analysis is limited to the exercise modalities and outcomes defined in the included 209 trials.

Provenance

Source

figshare, authored by Ye Zhao.

Collection Method

Systematic review and network meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials from five databases.

Time Range

Covers trials included in the systematic review up to its publication date; specific range not provided.

Freshness

Last updated March 25, 2026.

Geography

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