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Completed

NCT Number: NCT01650532

Stretching and Yoga Exercise Study

The investigators propose to test the effects of an 8-week supervised, site-based, group yoga intervention on cognition and functional fitness in older adults. The SAY Exercise study will compare the yoga group to a stretching group to determine if the program improves attention and cognition, reduces functional limitations, enhances functional performance in everyday activities, as well as psychological health in sedentary older adults between 55-80 years of age. The investigators also propose to assess heart rate variability using a 3-lead EKG and salivary cortisol levels to understand the moderators of the yoga-cognition relationship.

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Key information

Conditions

Aging

Age range

55 year–80 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign

Urbana, Illinois, 61801, United States

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

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

Inclusion criteria

  • 55-80 yrs of age
  • Low active: zero to two days of physical activity (>30 minutes per day) per week, in previous six months
  • Personal physicians consent to participate in testing and exercise intervention
  • Not involved in any other physical activity/exercise research study or cognitive training study.
  • Adequate responses to the Telephone interview of Cognitive Status (TICS-M) questionnaire
  • Corrected (near and far) acuity of 20/40 or better in both eyes
  • Initial depression score on GDS-15 below clinical levels (>5)
  • Able to get up and down from the floor
  • Comfortable with reading, writing and speaking English

Exclusion criteria

  • Below 55 or over 80 years of age
  • High physical activity levels (more than 2 times per week, >30 minutes, in the last 6 months)
  • Regular yoga practitioners (previously or currently practicing for more than 6 months)
  • Involved in other physical activity/exercise research study or cognitive training study
  • Non-consent of the physician
  • Inadequate response on the GDS-15 and TICS-M
  • Uncorrected (near and far) acuity of greater than 20/40 in either eye
  • Inability to communicate effectively in English
  • Intent to be away from the area for a long period of time resulting in more than 2 absences at the exercise sessions

Treatment and study plan

Yoga Condition

Behavioral

Classes lasting one hour, held 3 times per week for 8 weeks.

Stretching Condition

Behavioral

Classes lasting one hour, held 3 times per week for 8 weeks.

Primary outcomes

  1. Changes in cognition as assessed by a neuropsychological battery of computer based and paper pencil tests from baseline to 8 weeks

    Time frame: Baseline - 8 week

    Participants will complete a neuropsychological battery of tasks assessing memory, attention, decision making at baseline (before beginning the program) and at week 8 (after completing the exercise program).

Secondary outcomes

  1. Change in functional fitness from baseline to 8 weeks

    Time frame: Baseline - 8 week

    Participants will complete a battery of physical function tests assessing balance, flexibility, strength and mobility at baseline and week 8.

  2. Change in psychosocial outcomes from baseline to 8 weeks

    Time frame: Baseline - 8 week

    Participants will complete a packet of questionnaires assessing self-esteem, postitive and negative affect including anxiety and depression, self-efficacy and other psychosocial outcomes.

  3. Change in salivary cortisol from baseline to 8 weeks

    Time frame: Baseline - week 8

    Participants will be providing a small saliva sample via a passive drool into a vial. The compound of interest is cortisol (an indicator of body stress).

  4. Change in heart rate variability from baseline to 8-weeks

    Time frame: Baseline - 8 week

    The EKG for each participant will also be recorded in response to a 5 minute unpaced (normal) breathing and 5-minute paced (set to a metronome) breathing. All participants will complete these assessments at baseline and week 8.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Other

Registry information

Official study title

The Effects of an 8-Week Yoga Intervention on Cognition and Functional Fitness in Older Adults

Acronym: SAYExercise

Important dates

Study start
2012
Primary completion
2013
Study completion
2013
First posted
Jul 26, 2012
Registry last updated
Feb 23, 2017

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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