Yoga’s potential for improving psychological health in older adults

Posted on December 26, 2013 by Stone Hearth News

 J Phys Act Health. 2013 Dec 20. [Epub ahead of print]

Effects of Yoga on Psychological Health in Older Adults

 Bonura KB, Tenenbaum G. Center for Faculty Excellence, Walden University, Minneapolis, MN.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

The objective of this study was to assess the effect of a yoga intervention on psychological health in older adults.

METHOD:

 A randomized controlled trial study, conducted at two North Florida facilities for older adults. Subjects were 98 older adults, ages 65 – 92. Participants were randomly assigned to chair yoga, chair exercise, and control groups and assessed pre-intervention, post-intervention, and one-month follow-up on the State Anger Expression Inventory, State Anxiety Inventory, Geriatric Depression Scale, Lawton’s PGC Morale Scale, General Self-Efficacy Scale, Chronic Disease Self-Efficacy Scales, and Self-Control Schedule.

RESULTS:

Yoga participants improved more than both exercise and control participants in anger (Cohen’s d = 0.89 for yoga versus exercise, and 0.90 for yoga versus control, pretest to posttest; and d = 0.90 and 0.72, pretest to follow-up), anxiety (d = 0.27, 0.39 and 0.62, 0.63), depression (d = 0.47, 0.49 and 0.53, 0.51), well-being (d = 0.14, 0.49 and 0.25, 0.61), general self-efficacy (d = 0.63, 1.10 and 0.30, 0.85), and self-efficacy for daily living (d = 0.52, 0.81 and 0.27, 0.42). Changes in self-control moderated changes in psychological health.

CONCLUSIONS:

Over a six-week period, our findings indicate yoga’s potential for improving psychological health in older adults.

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