Efficacy of Integrated Yoga and Ayurveda Rasayana on cognitive functions in elderly with mild cognitive impairment: Non-randomized three-arm clinical trial.
Shivaji Chobe, Sanjib Kumar Patra, Meenakshi Chobe, Kashinath Metri
Journal of Ayurveda and Integrative Medicine 2022 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaim.2020.11.003 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Randomized controlled trial Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 72 |
| Population | Elderly persons with mild cognitive impairment, average age 63.3 ± 6.44 years |
| Interventions | Brahmi ghrita pranayama meditation |
| Duration | 8 weeks |
| Measures | Rey's Auditory Verbal Learning Test, Digit backward test |
| Topics | Breathwork Meditation |
| Keywords | Attention Brahmi Cognition Memory |
| Key findings | Both Ayurveda Rasayana and Integrated Yoga improved cognitive measures after eight weeks, with significant within-group improvements on all tests except Digit backward. The combined intervention produced significantly greater gains in learning and verbal memory (Rey's Auditory Verbal Learning Test hits and average) and working memory (Digit backward) compared with either intervention alone. |
Abstract
Yoga and Ayurveda are ancient sciences which emphasize on the cure of disease and the proportion of health. Both sciences are also known to reduce the aging process and are helpful in aging-related disorders. This study investigates the effects of Yoga and Ayurveda Rasayana combined intervention on cognition among the elderly with mild cognitive impairment. Seventy-two elderly persons (average age 63.3 ± 6.44 years) received Ayurveda Rasayana (AR) (n = 23) or Integrated Yoga (IY) (n = 25) or combined (IY plus AR) intervention (n = 24) for eight weeks. AR treatment consisted of Brahmi ghrita, and IY consisted of asana, pranayama, meditation, and relaxation techniques. Executive function, verbal fluency, attention, processing speed, short-term and working memory, and learning and verbal memory were assessed at the baseline and after eight weeks. Within-group analysis shows that there was a significant time main effect (p < 0.05) in all cognitive measures in the three groups (IY, AR, and IY plus AR) except Digit backward test. Bonferroni post hoc test shows a significant difference in pre to post in all variables. In the between-group analysis, there was a substantial group difference for Rey's Auditory Verbal Learning Test- hits, F (2,69) = 4.376 (P < 0.016), Rey's Auditory Verbal Learning Test-Average, F (2,69) = 4.727 (0.012), Digit backward test, F (2,69) = 5.766 (0.005) after eight weeks of intervention. Both Ayurveda Rasayana and Integrated Yoga intervention were found effective in improving cognitive abilities among the elderly with MCI. Combined Ayurveda Rasayana and Yoga intervention significantly improved learning, attention, processing speed, and working memory compared to individual response among elderly persons with MCI.
Comparable studies
Other randomized controlled trials on breathwork, most cited first.
Citations in the library
Cites 3
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