The effects of exercise on episodic memory in patients with depression: a three-level meta-analysis.
J Affect DisordAug 25, 2026 (epub)
Clinical ResearchPsychiatry
Jiawen Ma, Xiaoyu Xie, Yansong Li et al.
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In 30 seconds
This meta-analysis evaluated the impact of exercise on episodic memory in patients with depression, including 13 randomized controlled trials with 1098 participants. The analysis found a significant small-to-moderate positive effect of exercise on episodic memory (g = 0.210, 95% CI [0.10, 0.32]).
Key findings
- Exercise had a small-to-moderate positive effect on episodic memory (g = 0.210).
- Significant improvements were noted for delayed recall (g = 0.213) and immediate recall (g = 0.206).
- No significant differences were found across memory indices or exercise characteristics.
Why it matters
Understanding the role of exercise in enhancing cognitive functions like episodic memory can inform treatment strategies for patients with depression, potentially improving their overall quality of life.