Enhancing Cognitive Health in Elderly Individuals: The Impact of Hatha Yoga on Attention, Memory, and Reasoning: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Abstract

Background: Aging leads to physiological and psychological changes that compromise both mental and physical autonomy, as well as cognitive functions, thereby increasing the risk of anxiety and depression. The sedentary lifestyle typical of older individuals results in a deterioration of the overall quality of life and well-being. Objective: This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of Hatha yoga in improving cognitive health among older adults. We will specifically examine the impact of this practice on attention, memory, and reasoning. Methods: The present study assesses the impact of Hatha yoga on attention, memorization, and reasoning in healthy older adults aged between 65 and 80 years. The study population comprises 45 healthy individuals (26 men and 19 women; 72.3 ± 5.6 years) residing in a retirement home, divided into three groups: a yoga group (YOGA, n = 15) that participated in yoga sessions; a physical activity group (APS, n = 15) engaged in sports and physical activities sessions; and a control group (CONT, n = 15) that did not undertake any activities. The study spanned 24 sessions, with two sessions per week lasting 45 min each. Participants completed test sessions dedicated to evaluating attention, memory, and reasoning before (T0) and after (T1) 12 weeks. A two-way ANOVA was used to analyze the differences between groups and over time. Results: After the intervention sessions, the data showed that the YOGA group registered significantly greater improvements at T1 compared to that of T0 in all cognitive parameters (e.g., attention (p < 0.001, Hedges' g = 1.35), memory (p < 0.001, Hedges' g = 1.04), and reasoning (p < 0.001, Hedges' g = 1.82)). Furthermore, our results revealed a significant difference between the YOGA group and both the APS (p < 0.001) and CONT (p < 0.01) groups for the attention and reasoning parameters at T1. Conclusions: This study underscores the potential of Hatha yoga to enhance the mental well-being of the elderly, suggesting significant benefits for cognitive well-being in this population. Trial Registration: Pan African Clinical Trials Registry: PACTR202405804830163.

Keywords: Hatha yoga; attention; memorization; older adults; reasoning.

Figure 1

Flow diagram of the study.

Figure 2

Excerpt from the Raven progressive matrices test.

Figure 3

Excerpt from the paper folding test.

Figure 4

Excerpt from the WAIS code test.

Figure 5

Representation of the evolution of attentional performance after 24 sessions in the three groups (mean ± standard deviation); APS: physical activity and sports group; CONT: control group; ^∗significant difference compared to the APS and control groups (p < 0.001).

Figure 6

Representation of the evolution of memory performance after 24 sessions in the three groups (mean ± SD; APS: physical activity and sports group; CONT: control group; ^∗, ^∗∗significant difference (p=0.006 and p < 0.001, respectively).

Figure 7

Representation of the evolution of reasoning performance after 24 sessions in the three groups (mean ± SD; n = 45); APS: physical activity and sports group; CONT: control group; ^∗: significant difference compared to the APS and control groups (p < 0.001).