title: Yoga-based exercise improves balance and mobility in people aged 60 and over: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  one-third of community-dwelling older adults fall annually. Exercise that challenges balance is proven to prevent falls. We conducted a systematic review with meta-analysis to determine the impact of yoga-based exercise on balance and physical mobility in people aged 60+ years.
  
  
  METHODS
  searches for relevant trials were conducted on the following electronic databases: MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, CINAHL, Allied and Complementary Medicine Database and the Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro) from inception to February 2015. Trials were included if they evaluated the effect of physical yoga (excluding meditation and breathing exercises alone) on balance in people aged 60+ years. We extracted data on balance and the secondary outcome of physical mobility. Standardised mean differences and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated using random-effects models. Methodological quality of trials was assessed using the 10-point Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro) Scale.
  
  
  RESULTS
  six trials of relatively high methodological quality, totalling 307 participants, were identified and had data that could be included in a meta-analysis. Overall, yoga interventions had a small effect on balance performance (Hedges' g = 0.40, 95% CI 0.15-0.65, 6 trials) and a medium effect on physical mobility (Hedges' g = 0.50, 95% CI 0.06-0.95, 3 trials).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  yoga interventions resulted in small improvements in balance and medium improvements in physical mobility in people aged 60+ years. Further research is required to determine whether yoga-related improvements in balance and mobility translate to prevention of falls in older people. PROSPERO Registration number CRD42015015872.
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Professions, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW 2109, Australia.
authors.forename: Sabrina
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Youkhana
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Professions, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW 2109, Australia.
authors.forename: Catherine M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Dean
authors.affiliation: Centre for Primary Health Care Research, Malmö, Lund University, Lund, Sweden.
authors.forename: Moa
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Wolff
authors.affiliation: The George Institute for Global Health, Sydney Medical School, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2000, Australia.
authors.forename: Catherine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Sherrington
authors.affiliation: The George Institute for Global Health, Sydney Medical School, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2000, Australia.
authors.forename: Anne
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Tiedemann
mesh_terms: D000058:Accidental Falls / Q000517:prevention & control*; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D051346:Mobility Limitation; D004856:Postural Balance; D020127:Recovery of Function; D012307:Risk Factors; D012678:Sensation Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D015013:Yoga
keywords: aged; balance; mobility; older people; randomised controlled trial; systematic review; yoga