Effect of yoga on cognitive functions in climacteric syndrome: a randomised control study

Abstract

Objective To assess the efficacy of an integrated approach of yoga therapy (IAYT) on cognitive abilities in climacteric syndrome.Design A randomised control study wherein the participants were divided into experimental and control groups.Settings Fourteen centres of Swami Vivekananda Yoga Research Foundation, Bangalore, India.Sample One hundred and eight perimenopausal women between 40 and 55 years with follicle-stimulating hormone level equal to or greater than 15 miu/ml. One hundred and twenty perimenopausal women were randomly allotted into the yoga and the control groups.Methods The yoga group practised a module comprising breathing practices, sun salutation and cyclic meditation, whereas the control group practised a set of simple physical exercises, under supervision (1 hour/day, 5 days/week for 8 weeks).Main outcome measures Assessments were made by vasomotor symptom checklist, six-letter cancellation test (SLCT) for attention and concentration and Punit Govil Intelligence Memory Scale (PGIMS) with ten subtests.Results The Wilcoxon test showed significant (P < 0.001) reduction in hot flushes, night sweats and sleep disturbance in yoga group, with a trend of significant difference between groups at P = 0.06 on Mann-Whitney test in night sweats. There was no change within or between groups in the control group. The SLCT score and the PGIMS showed significant improvement in eight of ten subtests in the yoga group and six of ten subtests in the control group. The yoga group performed significantly better (P < 0.001) with higher effect sizes in SLCT and seven tests of PGIMS compared with the control group.Conclusions Integrated approach of yoga therapy can improve hot flushes and night sweats. It also can improve cognitive functions such as remote memory, mental balance, attention and concentration, delayed and immediate recall, verbal retention and recognition tests.

The Acute Effects of Yoga on Cognitive Measures for Women with Premenstrual Syndrome

“…Previous studies have shown that the practice of yoga improves cognitive function, [11][12][13][14][15] although some studies have found contradicting results. 16,17 Given these conflicting results, and the lack of research about the effect of yoga on PMS, the primary aims of this study were to evaluate the effect of yoga exercise on women with PMS and to determine the immediate change of attention performance after yoga classes.…”

Effects of Yoga and Aerobic Exercise on Actigraphic Sleep Parameters in Menopausal Women with Hot Flashes

“…1-4 However, randomized controlled trials (RCTs) failed to show significant improvements in self-reported sleep with yoga compared to gentle exercise, 5 moderate-intensity walking, 6 or usual care. 6 Only one yoga RCT of midlife women required participants to meet clinical diagnostic criteria for insomnia and reported significant improvement in insomnia symptoms versus usual care.…”

“…Yoga and exercise have been suggested as useful nonpharmacologic treatments for midlife women experiencing sleep disturbance, but evidence regarding efficacy remains mixed and inconclusive. Several studies of yoga interventions for 8 to 16 w duration in women during and after menopause [1][2][3][4][5][6] showed statistically significant within-group improvements in self-reported sleep outcomes.…”

An Evaluation of the Effectiveness of Yoga on Physical Fitness of Older Adults

“…After 3 months of yoga practicing, physical fitness of older adults was significantly improved. Previous findings supported yoga as a measure to improving cognitive functions (Chattha, Nagarathna, Padmalatha, & R, 2009), subjective well-being (K. Sharma, 2008), different aspects of mental health (Gururaja, Harano, Toyotake, & Kobayashi, 2011;, cardiovascular system (Bharshankar, Bharshankar, Deshpande, Kaore, & Gosavi, 2003), physical and mental health (Buessing, Michalsen, Khalsa, Telles, & Sherman, 2012). Researchers also revealed that yoga has benefits for aging population.…”