Yoga reduces perceived stress and exhaustion levels in healthy elderly individuals.
Author: Lindahl E1, Tilton K2, Eickholt N3, Ferguson-Stegall L4
Affiliation:
1Integrative Physiology Lab, Dept. of Biology, Hamline University, 1536 Hewitt Ave, Saint Paul, MN 55102, USA. Electronic address: elindahl01@hamline.edu.
2Integrative Physiology Lab, Dept. of Biology, Hamline University, 1536 Hewitt Ave, Saint Paul, MN 55102, USA. Electronic address: ktilton01@hamline.edu.
3Century College, 3300 Century Ave N, Saint Paul, MN 55110, USA. Electronic address: keepitgoing84@gmail.com.
4Integrative Physiology Lab, Dept. of Biology, Hamline University, 1536 Hewitt Ave, Saint Paul, MN 55102, USA. Electronic address: lstegall01@hamline.edu.
Conference/Journal: Complement Ther Clin Pract.
Date published: 2016 Aug
Other:
Volume ID: 24 , Pages: 50-6 , Special Notes: doi: 10.1016/j.ctcp.2016.05.007. Epub 2016 May 7. , Word Count: 165
This study investigated whether a 7-week yoga intervention could improve physical function, perceived stress, and mental/emotional wellness in elderly participants.
METHODS: 8 participants (66.5 ± 0.3 years) attended 2 60-min Hatha yoga sessions/week for 7 weeks, and performed pre- and post-intervention assessments. Balance was assessed using a 5-test battery. Flexibility was measured by sit-and-reach and shoulder flexibility tests. Functional mobility tests included 8-ft up-and-go, 5 chair stands, and 4-m walk. Participants completed SF-12, exhaustion level, and Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) questionnaires.
RESULTS: SF-12 Mental Component Summary scores, exhaustion levels, and PSS scores improved post-intervention. No differences were found for physical function measures.
CONCLUSIONS: Yoga participation can improve mental/emotional wellness, exhaustion levels, and stress levels in elderly individuals, even without measurable improvements in physical function. Clinicians and health practitioners who work with the elderly should consider yoga as a potential therapeutic modality for improving important aspects of quality of life in this population.
Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
KEYWORDS: Elderly; Emotional wellness; Exhaustion; Stress; Yoga
PMID: 27502801 DOI: 10.1016/j.ctcp.2016.05.007
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