Positive Health Online

Abstract

BONURA and TENENBAUM,1. Center for Faculty Excellence, Walden University, Minneapolis, MN studied the effect of a yoga intervention on psychological health in older adults.

Background

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

Methodology

A randomized controlled trial study, conducted at 2 North Florida facilities for older adults. Subjects were 98 older adults, ages 65 to 92. Participants were randomly assigned to chair yoga, chair exercise, and control groups and assessed preintervention, postintervention, and 1-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, pre-test to post-test; and d = 0.90 and 0.72, pre-test 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.

Conclusion

Over a 6-week period, our findings indicate yoga's potential for improving psychological health in older adults.

References

Bonura KB1, Tenenbaum G. Effects of yoga on psychological health in older adults. J Phys Act Health. 11(7):1334-41. Sep 2014. doi: 10.1123/jpah.2012-0365. Epub Dec 20 2013.