Adapted yoga to improve physical function and health-related quality of life in physically-inactive older adults: a randomised controlled pilot trial
Adapted yoga to improve physical function and health-related quality of life in physically-inactive older adults: a randomised controlled pilot trial
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Abstract Background Yoga is a holistic therapy of expanding popularity, which has the potential to produce a range of physical, mental and social benefits.This trial evaluated the feasibility and effects of an adapted yoga programme on physical function and health-related quality of life in physically-inactive older adults.Methods In this randomised controlled pilot trial, 52 older adults (90% female; mean age 74.
8 years, SD 7.2) were randomised 1:1 to a yoga programme or wait-list control.The yoga group (n = 25) received a physical activity education booklet and were invited to attend ten yoga sessions during a 12-week period.
The control group (n = 27) received the education booklet only.Measures of physical function (e.g.
, Short Physical Performance Battery; SPPB), health status (EQ-5D) and mental well-being (Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Well-being Scale; WEMWBS) were assessed at baseline and 3 months.Feasibility was assessed using course attendance and adverse event data, and participant interviews.Results Forty-seven participants completed follow-up assessments.
Median class attendance was 8 (range 3 to read more 10).At the 3-month follow-up, the yoga group had a higher SPPB total score compared with the control group (mean difference 0.9, 95% confidence interval [CI] -0.
3 to 2.0), a faster time to rise from a chair five times (mean difference − 1.73 s, 95% CI −4.
08 to 0.62), and better performance on the chair sit-and-reach lower-limb flexibility test (mean difference 5 cm, 95% CI 0 to 10).The yoga group also had superior health status and mental well-being (vs.
control) at 3 months, with mean differences in EQ-5D and WEMWBS scores of 0.12 (95% CI, 0.03 to 0.
21) and 6 (95% CI, 1 to 11), respectively.The interviews indicated that participants valued attending the yoga programme, and that they experienced a range of benefits.Conclusions The adapted yoga programme appeared to be feasible and read more potentially beneficial in terms of improving mental and social well-being and aspects of physical function in physically-inactive older adults.
An appropriately-powered trial is required to confirm the findings of the present study and to determine longer-term effects.Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02663726.