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Yoga and Cognition: Acute & Intervention Studies

Explore the effects of acute yoga and chronic yoga intervention on cognitive performance. Discover the benefits of yoga on executive functions, attention, and processing speed. Investigate the improvement in cognitive function among sedentary older adults through an 8-week yoga intervention compared to stretching. Gain insights into the potential cognitive benefits of mind-body therapies like yoga over traditional exercise. Embrace the holistic approach to health through yoga-cognition research.

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Yoga and Cognition: Acute & 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

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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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