The Effects of an 8-Week Yoga Intervention on Cognition and Functional Fitness in Older Adults
Trial Snapshot
- Phase
- Not Applicable
- Status
- Completed
- Enrollment
- 118
- Locations
- 1
- Primary Endpoint
- Changes in cognition as assessed by a neuropsychological battery of computer based and paper pencil tests from baseline to 8 weeks
Study Overview
Brief Summary
The investigators propose to test the effects of an 8-week supervised, site-based, group yoga intervention on cognition and functional fitness in older adults. The SAY Exercise study will compare the yoga group to a stretching group to determine if the program improves attention and cognition, reduces functional limitations, enhances functional performance in everyday activities, as well as psychological health in sedentary older adults between 55-80 years of age. The investigators also propose to assess heart rate variability using a 3-lead EKG and salivary cortisol levels to understand the moderators of the yoga-cognition relationship.
Study Design
- Study Type
- Interventional
- Allocation
- Randomized
- Intervention Model
- Parallel
- Primary Purpose
- Basic Science
- Masking
- None
Eligibility Criteria
- Ages
- 55 Years to 80 Years (Adult, Older Adult)
- Sex
- All
- Accepts Healthy Volunteers
- Yes
Inclusion Criteria
- •55-80 yrs of age
- •Low active: zero to two days of physical activity (>30 minutes per day) per week, in previous six months
- •Personal physicians consent to participate in testing and exercise intervention
- •Not involved in any other physical activity/exercise research study or cognitive training study.
- •Adequate responses to the Telephone interview of Cognitive Status (TICS-M) questionnaire
- •Corrected (near and far) acuity of 20/40 or better in both eyes
- •Initial depression score on GDS-15 below clinical levels (>5)
- •Able to get up and down from the floor
- •Comfortable with reading, writing and speaking English
Exclusion Criteria
- •Below 55 or over 80 years of age
- •High physical activity levels (more than 2 times per week, >30 minutes, in the last 6 months)
- •Regular yoga practitioners (previously or currently practicing for more than 6 months)
- •Involved in other physical activity/exercise research study or cognitive training study
- •Non-consent of the physician
- •Inadequate response on the GDS-15 and TICS-M
- •Uncorrected (near and far) acuity of greater than 20/40 in either eye
- •Inability to communicate effectively in English
- •Intent to be away from the area for a long period of time resulting in more than 2 absences at the exercise sessions
Arms & Interventions
Yoga Condition
Participants will be instructed to learn yoga postures as well as yoga based breathing and meditative practices by certified yoga instructors. Primary Hatha yoga postures will be performed using props like yoga mats, blocks, belts and blankets. Classes will be held 3 times a week for 8 weeks.
Intervention: Yoga Condition (Behavioral)
Stretching Condition
Exercises focusing on stretching and strengthening for all muscle groups will be performed at one-hour long sessions held 3 times a week for 8 weeks. Classes are led by trained exercise specialists.
Intervention: Stretching Condition (Behavioral)
Outcomes
Primary Outcomes
Changes in cognition as assessed by a neuropsychological battery of computer based and paper pencil tests from baseline to 8 weeks
Time Frame: Baseline - 8 week
Participants will complete a neuropsychological battery of tasks assessing memory, attention, decision making at baseline (before beginning the program) and at week 8 (after completing the exercise program).
Secondary Outcomes
- Change in salivary cortisol from baseline to 8 weeks(Baseline - week 8)
- Change in functional fitness from baseline to 8 weeks(Baseline - 8 week)
- Change in psychosocial outcomes from baseline to 8 weeks(Baseline - 8 week)
- Change in heart rate variability from baseline to 8-weeks(Baseline - 8 week)
Investigators
Edward McAuley
Professor
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign