The effects of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise on cognitive function in individuals with stroke-induced mild cognitive impairment: a randomized controlled pilot study.

Ten patients per group; the authors themselves call for a larger sample. The intervention lasted only 2 weeks and there was no follow-up beyond the post-test, so any effect could be transient. The authors state that recorded heart rates during exercise did not reach levels typical of moderate-intensity aerobic work, so the actual intensity delivered may have been lower than intended. Sixteen of the 20 participants were male, limiting generalisability to women. The MCI inclusion criteria (MOCA 18 to 25) did not stratify by age or education, which the authors acknowledge can shift MOCA scores. Single-centre design at one hospital in Guangzhou.

No conflicts of interest declared. Funded by the Guangdong Province Department of Education, the Guangzhou and University Foundation, the Natural Science Foundation of Guangdong Province, and the Guangdong Provincial Hospital of Chinese Medicine Rehabilitation Talent Training Project.

Do not read the significant MOCA and 3-back scores as proof that aerobic exercise improves post-stroke cognition. The pre-registered primary outcome, 2-back accuracy, showed no between-group difference (p = 0.813). The sample was 10 per group, the intervention lasted 2 weeks, and the authors note that recorded heart rates did not reach typical moderate-intensity levels.