The Effects of Yoga on Patients with Mild Cognitive Impairment and Dementia: A Scoping Review.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to examine the impact of yoga on cognitive functioning in adults with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and dementia.
Results Summary
Yoga may have beneficial effects on cognitive functioning, particularly attention and verbal memory, potentially through improved sleep, mood, and neural connectivity. However, limitations include variability in intervention details and underlying etiologies of cognitive impairment.
Population
Adults with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) or dementia.
Effective Dosage
Not specified
Duration
Not specified
Interactions
None mentioned
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
yoga | increase | cognitive functioning | persons with MCI or dementia | - | may have beneficial effects on | #1 |
yoga | increase | attention | persons with MCI or dementia | - | may have beneficial effects on | #2 |
yoga | increase | verbal memory | persons with MCI or dementia | - | may have beneficial effects on | #3 |
yoga | increase | sleep | persons with MCI or dementia | - | may affect cognitive functioning through improved | #4 |
yoga | increase | mood | persons with MCI or dementia | - | may affect cognitive functioning through improved | #5 |
yoga | increase | neural connectivity | persons with MCI or dementia | - | may affect cognitive functioning through improved | #6 |
Yoga is an ancient mind body practice. Although yoga has been used as a complementary health approach for enhancing wellness and addressing a variety of health issues, little is known about the impact of yoga on cognitive functioning in adults with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and dementia. We conducted a literature review to examine the impact of yoga on persons with MCI and dementia. Eight studies were identified that reported on yoga as either the primary intervention or one component of a multi-component intervention in samples of persons with MCI or dementia. Results suggest that yoga may have beneficial effects on cognitive functioning, particularly on attention and verbal memory. Further, yoga may affect cognitive functioning through improved sleep, mood, and neural connectivity. There are a number of limitations of the existing studies, including a lack of intervention details, as well as variability in the frequency/duration and components of the yoga interventions. A further complicating issue is the role of various underlying etiologies of cognitive impairment. Despite these limitations, providers may consider recommending yoga to persons with MCI or dementia as a safe and potentially beneficial complementary health approach.