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Effects of a Yoga Program Combined with a Mediterranean Diet on Nutritional Status and Functional Capacity in Community-Dwelling Older Adults: A Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial.

Nutrients
May 24, 2024
María Del Carmen Carcelén-Fraile et al. (8 authors)
Journal ArticleRandomized Controlled TrialHuman StudyClinical
Study Details

Study Goal

The researchers aimed to determine whether combining yoga with a Mediterranean diet could improve health outcomes in older adults.

Results Summary

The study found significant improvements in nutritional status, balance, gait, flexibility, and muscle strength in the experimental group compared to the control group. Effect sizes ranged from small to moderate, with the largest improvements seen in lower body strength and left arm flexibility.

Population

Community-dwelling older adults (n = 116, aged not specified).

Effective Dosage

Not specified

Duration

12 weeks

Interactions

None mentioned

Extracted Claims (9)
InterventionDirectionEndpointPopulationDosageImpactClaim #
combined yoga and Mediterranean diet program
increase
nutritional status
community-dwelling older adults
Cohen's d = 0.02
showed significant differences
#1
combined yoga and Mediterranean diet program
increase
balance
community-dwelling older adults
11.12 ± 3.01 vs. 10.03 ± 2.35, Cohen's d = 0.41
showed greater balance
#2
combined yoga and Mediterranean diet program
increase
gait
community-dwelling older adults
7.63 ± 1.96 vs. 6.69 ± 2.50, Cohen's d = 0.44
showed greater gait
#3
combined yoga and Mediterranean diet program
increase
flexibility in the right arm
community-dwelling older adults
Cohen's d = 0.43
showed statistically significant improvements
#4
combined yoga and Mediterranean diet program
increase
flexibility in the left arm
community-dwelling older adults
Cohen's d = 0.64
showed statistically significant improvements
#5
combined yoga and Mediterranean diet program
increase
flexibility in the right perineum
community-dwelling older adults
Cohen's d = 0.42
showed statistically significant improvements
#6
combined yoga and Mediterranean diet program
increase
flexibility in the left leg
community-dwelling older adults
Cohen's d = 0.37
showed statistically significant improvements
#7
combined yoga and Mediterranean diet program
increase
grip strength
community-dwelling older adults
Cohen's d = 0.39
experienced statistically significant improvements
#8
combined yoga and Mediterranean diet program
increase
lower body strength
community-dwelling older adults
Cohen's d = 0.81
experienced statistically significant improvements
#9
Abstract

(1) Background: With the aging population, effective interventions are needed to enhance the health of older adults. This study investigated the combined effects of yoga and the Mediterranean diet on various health outcomes in community-dwelling older adults; (2) Methods: The study employed a randomized controlled trial design with a total of 116 older adults randomized to an experimental group (n = 57) that underwent a combined yoga and Mediterranean diet program and a control group (n = 59) that did not receive any intervention. Nutritional status was assessed using the Mini Nutritional Assessment, flexibility with the Back Scratch Test and the Chair Sit-and-Reach Test, balance, gait, and fall risk with the Tinetti Scale, and muscle strength with a dynamometer and the 30 s Chair Stand Test; (3) Results: Regarding nutritional status, there were significant differences between the experimental group and the control group (Cohen's d = 0.02). The participants in the experimental group showed greater balance (11.12 ± 3.01 vs. 10.03 ± 2.35, Cohen's d = 0.41 and gait (7.63 ± 1.96 vs. 6.69 ± 2.50, Cohen's d = 0.44) with respect to the control group. In terms of flexibility, the experimental group showed statistically significant improvements in the right arm (Cohen's d = 0.43), left arm (Cohen's d = 0.64), right perineum (Cohen's d = 0.42), and left leg (Cohen's d = 0.37) Finally, in terms of strength, participants in the experimental group experienced statistically significant improvements in grip strength and lower body strength (Cohen's d = 0.39 and 0.81, respectively); (4) Conclusions: The study highlights the potential benefits of a 12-week intervention combining yoga with a Mediterranean diet to improve the health and functional capacities of community-dwelling older adults.

Medical Subject Headings (MeSH)
HumansDiet, MediterraneanAgedYogaMaleFemaleNutritional StatusIndependent LivingMuscle StrengthPostural BalanceGaitAged, 80 and overGeriatric AssessmentFunctional StatusNutrition AssessmentAccidental Falls
Study Links
Quality Scores
SafetyNot Assessed
Efficacy85/10
Quality78/10
Citation Metrics
Total Citations2
Citations/Year2.0
Research Impact Scores
APT Score0.50
Weight Score2.66
Normalized Score0.70
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