The Effect of Aerobic Exercise on Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor in People with Neurological Disorders: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Open accessAbstract
Objective.To determine the effect of aerobic exercise on brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels in people with neurological disorders.Data Sources.Six electronic databases (CINAHL, PubMed, Cochrane, PsycINFO, SportDiscus, and Web of Science) were searched until the end of December 2016.Study Selection.Experimental or observational studies of people with neurological disorders who undertook an exercise intervention with BDNF as an outcome measure. The search strategy yielded 984 articles.Data Extraction.Study data were independently extracted from each article. Methodological quality of studies was assessed using the Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro) scale. A meta-analysis was planned based on the assessment of predetermined criteria.Data Synthesis.Eleven articles were included. Studies employed either a program of aerobic exercise, a single bout of aerobic exercise, or both. A meta-analysis of studies comparing a program of aerobic exercise against usual care/nil therapy showed a large effect (SMD: 0.84, 95% CI 0.47–1.20, p<0.001 ) in favour of aerobic exercise to increase levels of BDNF. Findings for a single bout of aerobic exercise were mixed. Quality of studies was low (PEDro average score 4.3/10).Conclusions.A program of aerobic exercise may contribute to increased levels of BDNF in neurological populations.
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Physical activity improves patients' functioning, especially during the early post-stroke window of enhanced neuroplasticity, but also at a later time.
“Physical activity (PA), i.a., by stimulating neuroplasticity improves patients functioning (especially during the window of enhanced neuroplasticity early after stroke, but also at a later time [5]) [6,7].”
From Physical Activity, Psychological and Functional Outcomes in Non-Ambulatory Stroke Patients during Rehabilitation—A Pilot Study (2022) · cites this paper as [6]
The Introduction reports improved walking and functional ability after aerobic exercise in people with stroke, including chronic stroke studies. It does not establish that these benefits are especially strong during an early post-stroke window of enhanced neuroplasticity; its early post-stroke evidence concerns rats, and the Discussion says the proposed BDNF–motor-function link has yet to be established in humans. The source therefore supports later functional benefits but not the claimed timing or mechanism in patients. (LLM, conf=0.85)
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Błaszcz, M., Prucnal, N., Wrześniewski, K., Pasiut, S., Mika, P., Kucia, M., Stach, B., Woźniak, M., & Mirek, E. (2022) · Journal of Clinical Medicine · doi:10.3390/jcm11247260 · Cited by 12 · see citing works
“The recent meta-analyses showed that regular PA in stroke patients could prevent or reduce depressive symptoms [52]; improve cardiorespiratory fitness, muscle strength, walking capacity [53], bone mineral density [54] and quality of life [55]; reduce the risk of recurrent stroke [56]; and stimulate neuroplasticity [6].”
Background
- Authors
- Mackay, C. P., Kuys, S. S., & Brauer, S. G.
- Affiliations
- The University of Queensland (AU)
- Australian Catholic University (AU)
- Corresponding author
- Mackay, Christopher P.
- Venue
- Neural Plasticity
- Publisher
- Wiley
- Published
- 2017
- Volume
- 2017
- Pages
- 1-9
- ISSN
- 1687-5443 (ISSN-L)
- 2090-5904
- PMC
- PMC5625797
- OpenAlex
- W2753995969
- Cited by
- 125
- References
- 50
- Citations by year
- 2026: 7 · 2025: 11 · 2024: 10 · 2023: 21 · 2022: 16 · 2021: 24 · 2020: 14 · 2019: 17 · 2018: 5
- FWCI
- 1.21
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- gold
- doi.org
- Locations
- Neural Plasticity (publishedVersion, cc-by)
- Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (publishedVersion, cc-by)
- PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Research Bank (Australian Catholic University) (submittedVersion, cc-by)
- BIBSYS Brage (BIBSYS (Norway)) (submittedVersion, cc-by)
- DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion, cc-by-sa)
- NORA - Norwegian Open Research Archives (submittedVersion, cc-by)
- Topics
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience › Nerve injury and regeneration
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Rehabilitation › Stroke Rehabilitation and Recovery
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Physiology › Physical Activity and Health
- Keywords
- aerobic exercise, brain-derived neurotrophic factor, neurological disorders, exercise intervention, single bout exercise, neuroplasticity, neurotrophic factors
- MeSH terms
- Brain, Exercise Therapy, Humans, Multiple Sclerosis, Parkinson Disease, Quality of Life, Exercise, Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor, Stroke
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