Hatha Yoga Practice Improves Attention and Processing Speed in Older Adults: Results from an 8-Week Randomized Control Trial.
BACKGROUND
Age-related cognitive decline is well documented across various aspects of cognitive function, including attention and processing speed, and lifestyle behaviors such as physical activity play an important role in preventing cognitive decline and maintaining or even improving cognitive function.


OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of an 8-week Hatha yoga intervention on attention and processing speed among older adults.


METHODS
Participants (n = 118; mean age, 62 ± 5.59) were randomly assigned to an 8-week Hatha yoga group or a stretching control group and completed cognitive assessments-Attention Network Task, Trail Making Test parts A and B, and Pattern Comparison Test-at baseline and after the 8-week intervention.


RESULTS
Analyses of covariance revealed significantly faster reaction times for the yoga group on the Attention Network Task's neutral, congruent, and incongruent conditions (p ≤ 0.04). The yoga intervention also improved participants' visuospatial and perceptual processing on the Trail Making Test part B (p = 0.002) and pattern comparison (p < 0.001) tests.


CONCLUSIONS
These results suggest that yoga practice that includes postures, breathing, and meditative exercises lead to improved attentional and information processing abilities. Although the underlying mechanisms remain largely speculative, more systematic trials are needed to explore the extent of cognitive benefits and their neurobiological mechanisms.
1 Division of Kinesiology, Health and Sport Studies, Wayne State University , Detroit, MI.
Neha P
NP
Gothe
2 Department of Psychology, Department of Mechanical & Industrial Engineering, Northeastern University , Boston, MA.
Arthur F
AF
Kramer
3 Department of Kinesiology and Community Health, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign , Champaign, IL.
Edward
E
McAuley
D000368:Aged; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001288:Attention; D001945:Breathing Exercises; D003071:Cognition; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000517:prevention & control*; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D019122:Meditation; D008875:Middle Aged; D011930:Reaction Time; D065855:Spatial Processing; D015013:Yoga
cognitive function; older adults; yoga intervention