Effect of 12 weeks of yoga training on neurocognitive variables: A quasi-experimental study

Abstract

Background: Neurocognitive abilities are the brain-mind skills needed to initiate any task from the simplest to the most complex, decreases with advancing age. Attention, alertness, and memory are the basic neurocognitive functions most affected by age. There are potential benefits of yoga on neurocognitive functions because this ancient Indian technique positively nurtures the mind-body systems. Aim of the Study: The present study was aimed to evaluate the effect of 12 weeks of yogic training on neurocognitive abilities in a middle-aged group. Methods: A total of 86 volunteers (46 male and 40 females, age group of 35–55 years), with no prior experience of yoga were participated in this study. Five male and 4 female participants were excluded from the study. All participants divided into yoga training group (male = 21 and female = 18) and control group (male = 20 and female = 18). The yoga training group underwent yoga practices, including kriya, surya namaskar, asana, pranayama, and dhyana daily in the morning, for 6 days/week, for 12 weeks. Standing height, body weight, body mass index, visual reaction time (RT), auditory RT (attention and alertness), and short-term memory were assessed day 1 (pre), 6 th week (mid), and 12 th weeks (post) of intervention. Results: Repeated-measures analysis of variance showed that a statistically significant increased ( P < 0.05) in attention-alertness and short-term memory after 12 weeks of yogic practices. Conclusion: Integrated approach of yogic intervention may have promising effect on neurocognitive abilities that concomitantly promote successful aging.

WITHDRAWN: An Experimental Study on Quantitative Evaluation of Cognitive Features in Indian College Students with Yoga and Rajyoga Meditation as Intervention

“…The anxiety levels also dipped among the children following the breath awareness practice. Continuous practice of Yoga for twelve weeks leads to signi cant improvement in short-term memory, attention, and alertness (Mondal & Deepeswar Singh, 2021). The fundamental neurocognitive processes that are most impacted by aging include attention, alertness, and memory.…”

“…Changes were seen in theta and alpha powers in the frontal area of EEG during zen meditation in undergraduate students. High alpha power is a marker for a less active brain [29], which may be attributed to a more calm and positive brain state to facilitate meditation practice. Lower frequency EEH bands (alpha and theta) revealed high band power in Rajyoga meditators as compared to controls (Sharma & Chandra, 2018).…”

Comparative study of role of physiotherapy alone versus physiotherapy combined with yoga in rehabilitation after a sports injury. What can a primary physician offer?

“…Chatterjee et al . [ 53 ] recorded improvement in T4, T4, and TSH level following yoga therapy; similarly, Chatterjee et al . [ 54 ] observed improvement in GH (growth hormone) and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS) level following yoga therapy.…”

“…However, yogic practices such as the Sarvangasana increases the protein bound serum iodine and improves function of the thyroid gland. [ 53 55 ] Streeter et al . [ 56 ] noted a sharp increase in GABA following an hour of yoga practice, as shown by magnetic resonance spectroscopy.…”

Insights on Surya namaskar from its origin to application towards health

“…The yoga schedule is comprised of S urya namaskar , other A sanas , and P ranayama [ 39 ]. Recent research studies have reported promising effects of the yogic intervention on neurocognitive abilities promoting successful aging [ 40 ]. Several studies highlight that yoga could be a low-cost preventive measure for type 2 Diabetes Mellitus [ 41 , 42 ].…”