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Yoga and Cognition: Evidence from acute and intervention studies

Neha P. Gothe, MA, MS, PhD Wayne State University, Detroit - MI. Yoga and Cognition: Evidence from acute and intervention studies. Exercise and Cognitive Performance. Relationship is a highly topical area of scientific inquiry

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Yoga and Cognition: Evidence from acute and intervention studies

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  1. Neha P. Gothe, MA, MS, PhD Wayne State University, Detroit - MI Yoga and Cognition: Evidence from acute and intervention studies

  2. Exercise and Cognitive Performance • Relationship is a highly topical area of scientific inquiry • Majority of this work examines the effects of chronic exercise participation on cognition – long term effects or intervention effects • Increasing interest in the potential transient effects of acute bouts of exercise – short single bout of exercise

  3. Limitations of PA-Cognition literature • Major focus – aerobic modes of activity • Greatest benefit of aerobic exercise on cognition occurred when paired with resistance training (Colcombe & Kramer, 2003; Smith et al. 2010) • Plausible biological mechanisms whereby resistance training might ameliorate cognitive function independently of aerobic exercise • Little is known about the PA based complementary and alternative therapies such as yoga = combination of resistance exercise + breathing + meditation

  4. Acute Effects of Yoga Yoga and Cognition Studies

  5. Acute Yoga Effects • Research Question • Is task performance on the cognitive measures enhanced by acute (short single bout) of both yoga and aerobic exercise sessions? • Female college students (n=30, Mage=20.07) • 3 visits counterbalanced, at least a day apart • Gothe, N., Pontifex, M.B., Hillman, C.H. & McAuley, E. (2013). The effect of acute yoga on executive function. Journal of Physical Activity and Health. PMID: 22820158

  6. Acute Yoga Study: Cognitive Tests Flanker Task (inhibitory control) N back – 0, 1 and 2 back (working memory)

  7. Results • Flanker Task • Higher AC • N-back Task • Faster RT • Higher AC • If a single 20 minute bout of yoga works, will long term yoga practice improve cognition?

  8. Intervention Effects of Yoga Yoga and Cognition Studies

  9. Research Question • Does an 8 week yoga intervention improve cognitive performance when compared to a stretching control group? • We investigated the effects on cognition (executive functions, attention and processing speed) in sample of healthy sedentary older adults

  10. Stretching And Yoga Exercise Study • Sedentary community dwelling older adults • Ages 55 – 80 • N=118, Mean age = 62.05 • 8-week randomized controlled trial • Yoga intervention • Stretching control • Structured group exercise sessions 3x/wk, ~60min/session • Primary Outcomes: Cognition and Functional Fitness

  11. Participants N=118 • Sedentary older adults • 55-79 years old • Mean age 62.05 (±5.6) • Females 78% • Married 62% • College graduate ≥ 66% • Income 40,000 ≥75.8% • Working full time 54% • Hispanic/Latino 3.39% • Caucasian 81.35% • African American 10.16% • Asian 3.4% • American Indian or Alaskan Native 1.7% • More than one race 3.4%

  12. Yoga Intervention Groupn=61, Meanattendance80.82% • Yoga postures, breathing and meditative exercises • Equipment: yoga mats, yoga blocks, yoga belts, blankets

  13. Stretching Control Groupn=57, Meanattendance 81.29% • Stretching and strengthening exercises for all muscle groups • Equipment: resistance bands, balance disks, mats, chairs • Met CDC anaerobic guidelines

  14. Measures • Task Switching • Reaction time • Accuracy • Running Span • Recall scores • N-back • 1-back • 2-back T B N N P 7 2 P M Y P H

  15. Task Switching • Blue background: If number is less than 5 say low, if greater than 5 say high 2

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  20. Task Switching • Yellow background: Say oddor even 2

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  24. Task Switching When blue: decide high or low When yellow: decide odd or even

  25. 2

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  27. 2

  28. 8

  29. 6

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  35. Did yoga improve cognition?Results: Yoga intervention group significantly improved performance on the executive function measures of working memory capacity and efficiency of mental set shifting and flexibility • Gothe, N. P., Kramer, A. F., & McAuley, E. (2014). The effects of an 8-week Hatha yoga intervention on executive function in older adults. The Journals of Gerontology Series A: Biological Sciences and Medical Sciences, 69(9), 1109-1116.

  36. Hypothesized Mechanisms?

  37. Conclusions • “Mind-body” therapies may have unique mechanisms and cognitive benefits over traditional exercise • Yoga-cognition research is in nascent stages, need to thoroughly examine health benefits from a biopsychosocial perspective • Need for studies to test yoga with established, scientifically proven therapies of exercise

  38. “I felt a connection – love and warmth toward the group. That was very interesting and unexpected” Breathe !

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