Effect of Yoga based lifestyle intervention and Brisk walking on cognitive functions in office employees - Two arm randomised controlled trial.

Cognitive functions such as attention, processing speed, and cognitive flexibility are essential for daily performance and long-term brain health, particularly among working adults exposed to routine stress and sedentary lifestyles. With increasing recognition of non-pharmacological strategies to support cognitive health, yoga has emerged as a promising intervention due to its combined effects on physical movement, breath regulation, and mental focus.

Previous research by  demonstrated that Hatha Yoga significantly improved processing speed and attention in sedentary, healthy older adults. Although, there were some limitations like no validated protocol was used in assessing the cognitive function. Yoga practice was done 3 times a week making it less cumulative and limiting. Moreover, the control group practised stretching and strengthening exercises, which does not make it a ideal comparator group.

The present study address these gaps by incorporating a validated yoga-based lifestyle intervention, giving yoga protocol for 5 days a week at the office site for the employees. This population is often overlooked when it comes to cognitive functioning, but exposure to occupation stress occupies major challenging situations.

The control group in this study  practised brisk walking as it was easy to inculcate, beneficial and readily accessible for the participants.

Here we focused on 3 domains including selective attention, processing speed, and cognitive flexibility addressing middle age office employees, providing preventive cognitive health strategies for professional settings.