Effectiveness of exercise in improving quality of life in patients with traumatic brain injury: A systematic review and meta-analysis

ABSTRACT

Background

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a major cause of disability and mortality worldwide. People with TBI exhibit poor quality of life (QOL). Exercise is considered a possible intervention for improving cognitive function and mood, helping improve QOL in patients with TBI. According to our review of the relevant literature, meta-analyses have yet to explore the effect of exercise on QOL in patients with TBI.

Objectives

To determine by meta-analysis of relevant studies whether physical exercise could promote QOL in patients with TBI.

Methods

A systematic review and meta-analysis of intervention studies involving physical exercise for improving QOL outcomes in TBI populations were conducted according to the PRISMA guideline. Our inclusion criteria were as follows: being randomized or nonrandomized controlled trials with quantitative designs that included patients diagnosed with TBI.

Results

Thus, six studies met the inclusion criteria. The interventions in four of the six studies had statistically significant effects on QOL improvement. Our meta-analysis revealed a moderate effect size of physical exercise on QOL promotion in patients with TBI.

Conclusion

For TBI, exercise seems to improve QOL. More research with long-term follow-up should be conducted to assess the effect of exercise on patients with TBI.

KEYWORDS:

• Traumatic brain injury
• quality of life
• exercise
• physical activity
• aerobic training

Acknowledgments

It was prospectively registered with PROSPERO (CRD42021256773). This manuscript was edited by Wallace Academic Editing.

Disclosure statement

The authors declare no potential conflict of interest.

Data Availability Statement

Data are from the meta-analysis of the effectiveness of exercise on quality of life in TBI patients study whose authors may be contacted at [email protected].

Ethical approval

The Institutional Review Board of the Tri-Service General Hospital approved this study (Approval No. A202005032).

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the Taoyuan Armed Forces General Hospital under Grant [AFTYGH-E-109058].