Conclusion This review is the first to compare the effects of yoga with active and inactive controls in older adults not characterised by a specific clinical condition .
Results indicate that yoga interventions improve multiple physical function and HRQoL outcomes in this population compared to both control conditions .
This study provides robust evidence for promoting yoga in physical activity guidelines for older adults as a multimodal activity that improves aspects of fitness like strength , balance and flexibility , as well as mental wellbeing .
Background Yoga has been recommended as a muscle strengthening and balance activity in national and global physical activity guidelines .
However , the evidence base establishing the effectiveness of yoga in improving physical function and health related quality of life ( HRQoL ) in an older adult population not recruited on the basis of any specific disease or condition , has not been systematic ally review ed .
The objective of this study was to synthesis e existing evidence on the effects of yoga on physical function and HRQoL in older adults not characterised by any specific clinical condition .
Sleep quality, depression state, and health status of older adults after silver yoga exercises: cluster randomized trial.
BACKGROUND Sleep disturbances , depression , and low perception of health status are commonly seen in elderly population ; however , clinicians tend to underestimate or overlook the presence of these symptoms and assume them to be a part of normal aging . Non-pharmacological methods that promote a mind-body interaction should be tested to enhance the mental health of older adults . OBJECTIVE To test the effects of 6 months of silver yoga exercises in promoting the mental health of older adults in senior activity centers , especially their sleep quality , depression , and self-perception of health status . DESIGN Cluster r and omized trial . SETTING S Eight senior activity centers , southern Taiwan . PARTICIPANTS A sample of 139 participants was recruited , and 128 of them completed the study . INCLUSION CRITERIA ( 1 ) community-dwelling older adults ages 60 and over , ( 2 ) no previous training in yoga , ( 3 ) able to walk without assistance , ( 4 ) cognitively alert based on the Short Portable Mental Status Question naire ( SPMSQ ) score of eight or higher , and ( 5 ) independent or mildly dependent in self-care based on a Barthel Index ( BI ) score of 91 or higher . The mean age of the participants was 69.20 + /- 6.23 years , and the average number of chronic illness was 0.83 + /- 0.90 . The average BI score of the participants was 99.92 + /- 0.62 , and the mean SPMSQ score  was 9.90 + /- 0.30 . METHODS Participants were r and omly assigned into either the experimental ( n=62 ) or the control ( n=66 ) group based on attendance at selected senior activity centers . A 70-min silver yoga exercise program was implemented three times per week for 6 months as the intervention for the participants in the experimental group . RESULTS Most of the mental health indicators of the participants in the experimental group had significantly improved after the silver yoga interventions , and many of the indicators improved after 3 months of intervention and were maintained throughout the 6 months study . The mental health indicators of the participants in the experimental group were all better than the participants in the control group ( all p<.05 ) . CONCLUSIONS After 6 months of silver yoga exercises , the sleep quality , depression , and health status of older adults were all improved
Conclusion This review is the first to compare the effects of yoga with active and inactive controls in older adults not characterised by a specific clinical condition .
Results indicate that yoga interventions improve multiple physical function and HRQoL outcomes in this population compared to both control conditions .
This study provides robust evidence for promoting yoga in physical activity guidelines for older adults as a multimodal activity that improves aspects of fitness like strength , balance and flexibility , as well as mental wellbeing .
Background Yoga has been recommended as a muscle strengthening and balance activity in national and global physical activity guidelines .
However , the evidence base establishing the effectiveness of yoga in improving physical function and health related quality of life ( HRQoL ) in an older adult population not recruited on the basis of any specific disease or condition , has not been systematic ally review ed .
The objective of this study was to synthesis e existing evidence on the effects of yoga on physical function and HRQoL in older adults not characterised by any specific clinical condition .