Role of yoga and its possible mechanism behind the psychophysiological outcomes in elderly A randomized control trial

Abstract

BACKGROUND newlineThe ageing process is a biological reality which has its own dynamic progression, usually newlineassociated with degenerative changes, loss of role and functionality and an increasing newlineprevalence for chronic non communicable diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, arthritis, newlinecancer, dementia, Parkinson s etc. Lifestyle approaches such as yoga would therefore mitigate newlinedisability and prevent NCD s. This study aims to evaluate the effects of yoga in reducing stress newlineand improving performance in elderly. newlineAIMS AND OBJECTIVES newlineAim: To evaluate the effects on possible mechanism behind the integrated yoga practice on newlinepsychophysiological outcomes in elderly population. newlineObjectives: To evaluate the effects of yoga on perceived stress, quality of life, sleep, mood, newlineheart rate variability, spinal flexibility, muscle strength in elderly. newlineMETHODS newlineParticipants newlineElderly subjects willing to undergo yoga class for three months conducted by Divine Park newlineTrust, Saligrama, Udupi and Kundapura. Subjects will be referred from both primary care newlinephysicians and bill board flyers inviting participants to enrol in a lifestyle program to improve newlinetheir health. newlineDesign newlineThe proposed study design is a parallel, prospective, waitlisted, randomized controlled trial newlinewith 1:1 allocation ratio. Patients will be randomized into intervention arm and control arm. newlinevii newlineAssessments: newlinePrimary Outcomes: newline1. Quality of Life using older people s quality of life questionnaire newline2. Changes in Heart rate variability newlineSecondary Outcomes newline1. Spinal flexibility assessed by Sit and Reach Test newline2. Calf muscle strength assessed using and Back and leg dynamometer newline3. Hand Grip strength assessed using Hand grip Dynamometer newline4. Self-reported depression using Geriatric Depression Scale newline5. Insomnia using Pittsburg Sleep Quality Index newline6. Stress level using Perceived Stress Scale newline7. Constipation using Patient Assessment of Constipation Quality of Life newlineIntervention: newlineThe Yoga intervention comprises of Physical postures, Pranayama (controlled breathing), newlineMeditation and Relaxa