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 .
Influence of Yoga and Ayurveda on self-rated sleep in a geriatric population.
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE Sleep in older persons is characterized by decreased ability to stay asleep , result ing in fragmented sleep and reduced daytime alertness . Pharmacological treatment of insomnia in older persons is associated with hazardous side effects . Hence , the present study was design ed to compare the effects of Yoga and Ayurveda on the self rated sleep in a geriatric population . METHODS Of the 120 residents from a home for the aged , 69 were stratified based on age ( five year intervals ) and r and omly allocated to three groups i.e. , Yoga ( physical postures , relaxation techniques , voluntarily regulated breathing and lectures on yoga philosophy ) , Ayurveda ( a herbal preparation ) , and Wait-list control ( no intervention ) . The groups were evaluated for self- assessment of sleep over a one week period at baseline , and after three and six months of the respective interventions . RESULTS The Yoga group showed a significant decrease in the time taken to fall asleep ( approximate group average decrease : 10 min , P<0.05 ) , an increase in the total number of hours slept ( approximate group average increase : 60 min , P < 0.05 ) and in the feeling of being rested in the morning based on a rating scale ( P<0.05 ) after six months . The other groups showed no significant change . INTERPRETATION AND CONCLUSION Yoga practice improved different aspects of sleep in a geriatric population
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 .