Randomized clinical trial of yoga-based intervention in residents from elderly homes: Effects on cognitive function.

CONTEXT

Elderly have increased risk for cognitive impairment and dementia. Yoga therapy may be helpful in elderly to improve cognitive function.

AIMS

We examined the benefits of yoga-based intervention compared with waitlist control group on cognitive function in the residents of elderly homes.

SETTINGS AND DESIGN

Single blind controlled study with block randomization of elderly homes.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Study sample included yoga group (n=62) and waitlist group (n=58). A total of 87 subjects (yoga=44, waitlist=43) completed the study period of 6 months. Yoga group received daily yoga sessions for 1 month, weekly until 3(rd) month and encouraged to continue unsupervised until 6 months. They were assessed on Rey's Auditory Verbal Learning Test (RAVLT), Rey's complex figure test (CFT), Wechsler's Memory Scale (WMS)-digit and spatial span, Controlled Oral Word Association (COWA) test, Stroop Color Word Interference Test and Trail Making Test A and B at baseline and at the end of 6(th) month.

STATISTICAL ANALYSIS

Paired t-test and analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) to compare the difference in neuropsychological test scores.

RESULTS

Yoga group showed significant improvement in immediate and delayed recall of verbal (RAVLT) and visual memory (CFT), attention and working memory (WMS-spatial span), verbal fluency (COWA), executive function (Stroop interference) and processing speed (Trail Making Test-A) than waitlist group at the end of 6 months after correcting for corresponding baseline score and education.

CONCLUSION

Yoga based-intervention appears beneficial to improve several domains of cognitive function in elderly living in residential care homes. Study findings need to be interpreted after considering methodological limitations like lack of active comparison group.