To evaluate the effect of exercise intervention on executive function in adult patients with depression.

Seven databases, Web of Science, PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Central, China Knowledge (CNKI), Wanfang Database, and Wipro Journal Network (VIP), were searched to include randomized controlled trials from the time of database construction to July 2024. Stata 18.0 and Review Manager 5.4.1 software were used for statistical analysis.

A total of 7 papers with 497 subjects were included. Meta-analysis showed that exercise intervention significantly enhanced executive function (SMD=0.29, 95% CI［0.13, 0.44］), with inhibitory control (SMD=0.31, 95% CI［0.02, 0.60］), working memory (SMD=0.25, 95% CI［0.09, 0.40］) and cognitive flexibility (SMD=-0.33, 95% CI［-0.49, -0.17］) significantly improved (P<0.05). Subgroup analyses showed that the exercise intervention of low to moderate intensity, 30-60 minutes per session, lasting 12-16 weeks had the best effect on improvement of inhibitory control; the exercise intervention of high intensity, 30-60 minutes per session, lasting 3-8 weeks had the best effect on improvement of working memory and cognitive flexibility.

Exercise intervention can effectively enhance the executive function and its subdomains in patients with depression, and it is recommended to choose the appropriate exercise modality and dosage according to the actual situation of the patients in order to optimize the effect of the intervention.