Gothe Neha P, Kramer Arthur F, McAuley Edward
1 Division of Kinesiology, Health and Sport Studies, Wayne State University , Detroit, MI.
2 Department of Psychology, Department of Mechanical & Industrial Engineering, Northeastern University , Boston, MA.
J Altern Complement Med. 2017 Jan;23(1):35-40. doi: 10.1089/acm.2016.0185. Epub 2016 Nov 3.
Age-related cognitive decline is well documented across various aspects of cognitive function, including attention and processing speed, and lifestyle behaviors such as physical activity play an important role in preventing cognitive decline and maintaining or even improving cognitive function.
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of an 8-week Hatha yoga intervention on attention and processing speed among older adults.
Participants (n = 118; mean age, 62 ± 5.59) were randomly assigned to an 8-week Hatha yoga group or a stretching control group and completed cognitive assessments-Attention Network Task, Trail Making Test parts A and B, and Pattern Comparison Test-at baseline and after the 8-week intervention.
Analyses of covariance revealed significantly faster reaction times for the yoga group on the Attention Network Task's neutral, congruent, and incongruent conditions (p ≤ 0.04). The yoga intervention also improved participants' visuospatial and perceptual processing on the Trail Making Test part B (p = 0.002) and pattern comparison (p < 0.001) tests.
These results suggest that yoga practice that includes postures, breathing, and meditative exercises lead to improved attentional and information processing abilities. Although the underlying mechanisms remain largely speculative, more systematic trials are needed to explore the extent of cognitive benefits and their neurobiological mechanisms.
年龄相关的认知衰退在认知功能的各个方面都有充分记录，包括注意力和处理速度，而身体活动等生活方式行为在预防认知衰退以及维持甚至改善认知功能方面发挥着重要作用。
本研究的目的是评估为期8周的哈他瑜伽干预对老年人注意力和处理速度的影响。
参与者（n = 118；平均年龄，62 ± 5.59）被随机分配到为期8周的哈他瑜伽组或伸展对照组，并在基线和8周干预后完成认知评估——注意力网络任务、连线测验A和B部分以及图案比较测试。
协方差分析显示，瑜伽组在注意力网络任务的中性、一致和不一致条件下的反应时间明显更快（p ≤ 0.04）。瑜伽干预还改善了参与者在连线测验B部分（p = 0.002）和图案比较（p < 0.001）测试中的视觉空间和感知处理能力。
这些结果表明，包括体式、呼吸和冥想练习在内的瑜伽练习可提高注意力和信息处理能力。尽管潜在机制在很大程度上仍属推测，但需要更多系统试验来探索认知益处的程度及其神经生物学机制。
