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Completed

NCT Number: NCT01983930

Memory Training Versus Yogic Meditation Training in Older Adults With Mild Cognitive Impairment

The purpose of this pilot study is to test whether 6 months of supervised weekly Kundalini yoga classes and a brief daily meditation homework assignment can improve memory and thinking in older adults with mild memory complaints when compared to weekly classes of memory training with daily homework assignments.

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Key information

Conditions

Mild Cognitive Impairment Cognition Disorders Cognitive Dysfunction Memory Disorders Mental Disorders Nervous System Diseases Neurobehavioral Manifestations Neurocognitive Disorders Neurologic Manifestations Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms Signs and Symptoms

Age range

55 year–90 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

UCLA Semel Institute

Los Angeles, California, 90095, United States

About this study

The purpose of this pilot study intervention is to investigate brain mechanisms of response to memory enhancement training (MET) compared to Kundalini yoga and "Kirtan Kriya" meditation using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) that will be acquired from each subject at baseline and at 12 weeks (post-randomization).

Overall, the investigators anticipate recruiting 66 adults with memory complaints and diagnosed with MCI for adults 55 years old and older. Subjects will either receive: (1) MET class for 60 minutes per week; or (2) Kundalini yoga and "Kirtan Kriya" meditation class for 60 minutes per week. All assessments will be completed immediately after the interventions for a total of 10 visits in 12 weeks and a follow-up visit at 6 months (24 weeks)to monitor the overall benefit of the intervention.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • Mild cognitive impairment amnestic type
  • Clinical Dementia Rating scale score of 0.5
  • SufficientEnglish proficiency and 8th grade or higher reading level as determined by the word reading subtest of the Wide Range Achievement Test-IV
  • Capacity to provide informed consent.

Exclusion criteria

  • Any current or past psychiatric disorders, or recent unstable medical or neurological disorders
  • Any disabilities preventing their participation in the memory enhancement training (MET) (e.g. severe visual or hearing impairment)
  • Insufficient English proficiency
  • Diagnosis of dementia
  • Mini Mental Health Examination score of 24 and below
  • Psychoactive medications
  • Participation in a psychotherapy that involves cognitive training
  • Do not meet criteria for Mild cognitive impairment subtype
  • Prior or current training in yoga.

Treatment and study plan

Kundalini yoga and meditation

Behavioral

Participants will participate in a 60 minute yoga and meditation session weekly for 12 weeks and will be assigned a daily Kirtan Kriya meditation (12 minute duration) for 12 weeks.

memory training

Behavioral

Participants will attend a weekly memory training class for 12 weeks as well as receive daily memory homework (12 minute duration) for the 12 weeks.

Primary outcomes

  1. Cognitive Measures - Hopkins Verbal Learning Test (HVLT) Total Recall Score

    Time frame: At baseline and at 6 months

    Primary outcome measures were administered by a cognitive battery of neuropsychological and included memory and executive functioning. Verbal memory was measured with the Hopkins Verbal Learning Test (HVLT) total recall scores. The HVLT form contains 12 nouns, four words each from one of three semantic categories (e.g., precious gems, articles of clothing, vegetables, etc.), to be learned over the course of three learning trials. When scoring the HVLT, the three learning trials are combined to calculate a total recall score. Total scores range from 0-36 with higher scores indicating better outcome.

Secondary outcomes

  1. Clinical Global Impression Scale

    Time frame: Baseline, weeks 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 24

    The CGI measures severity of illness and global improvement. The CGI is rated on a 7-point scale, with the severity of illness scale using a range of responses from 1 (normal) through to 7 (amongst the most severely ill patients). CGI global improvement scores range from 1 (very much improved) through to 7 (very much worse).

  2. Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS)

    Time frame: Baseline and Week 24

    Secondary outcomes measures included mood assessments with the GDS, a self-assessment scale often used in geriatric depression trials. The GDS is a 30-item screening tool used to identify depression in older adults. In scoring the Geriatric Depression Scale, each item is scored 0 or 1. The total score on the scale ranges from 0 to 30 with higher scores indicating worse outcome.

  3. Change in Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) Connectivity

    Time frame: Baseline and week 12

    FMRI scans will be obtained at baseline and after 12 weeks follow up. Default mode network findings were analyzed and significant effects were identified for yoga and memory enhancement training groups.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

University of California, Los Angeles

Other

Registry information

Important dates

Study start
2013
Primary completion
2016
Study completion
2016
First posted
Nov 14, 2013
Registry last updated
May 22, 2026

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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