Yoga Improves Quality of Life in Healthy Seniors

April 10, 2006

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Yoga Improves Quality of Life in Healthy Seniors

Reference: “Randomized, controlled, six-month trial of yoga in healthy

seniors: effects on cognition and quality of life,” Oken BS, Zajdel D,

et al, Altern Ther Health Med, 2006; 12(1): 40-7. (Address: Department

of Neurology and Behavioral Neuroscience, Oregon Health and Science

University, Portland, OR, USA).

Summary: In a randomized, controlled trial involving 135 generally

healthy men and women between the ages of 65 and 85 years, participating

in regular hatha yoga classes was found to improve quality of life

(improved sense of well-being and energy, less fatigue), as compared to

subjects who participated in walking exercise classes and those who were

in a wait-list control group, over a period of 6 months. Subjects were

randomly assigned to one of the three groups. Subjects in the yoga and

walking exercise classes were asked to practice at home as well. Results

showed subjects in the yoga group to have improvements in physical

measures such as forward flexibility and timed 1-legged standing, and

quality-of-life measures, as determined by scores on SF-36

health-related quality of life, Profile of Mood States and

Multi-Dimensional Fatigue Inventory, as compared with subjects in the

other 2 groups. No significant improvements in cognitive function or

alertness were found in subjects i n any of the groups (as measured

primarily by Stroop Test and quantitative electroencephalogram (EEG)

measure of alertness). These results suggest that while neither yoga nor

exercise brought about improvements in cognitive function over a

six-month participation period, yoga significantly improved the quality

of life as well as physical measures among healthy seniors.

--

ne Holden, MS, RD < fivestar@... >

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