Effects of Hatha yoga on cognitive functions in the elderly: a cross-sectional study

Figures & data

Table 1. Main characteristics of the control and Hatha yoga groups

	Hatha yoga group	Control group
Age (years)	64.00 ± 3.02	65.00 ± 5.11
Years of formal education	17.30 ± 3.12	17.50 ± 3.55
Level of physical activity	24.26 ± 1.27	24.00 ± 2.26

Data are expressed as means ± standard deviations.

Table 2. Sample 60-minute yoga session construction

Component	Exercises	Approximate duration
Sukṣmavyayama (loosening exercises/warm up)	Greeva Sanchalana (neck movement)	10 minutes
	Skandha Chakra (shoulder rotation)
	Kati Chakrasana (hip extension)
	Janu Chakra (knee movement)
	Surya Namkaskar (3 rounds)
Asanas (physical postures)	Standing Asanas: e.g. Tadasana, Kati Chakrasana, Virabhadrasana I, II, and III Prone Asanas: e.g. Bhujangasana (cobra pose) and Dhanurasana (bow pose) Supine Asanas: e.g. Setu Bandha Sarvangasana (bridge pose) and Supta Kapotasana (supine pigeon pose)	20 minutes
Prāṇāyāmas	Diaphragmatic breathing	15 minutes
Meditation	Pose: Siddhasana/Savasana	15 minutes

Table 3. Indices of the Victoria Stroop test measured in the control and Hatha yoga groups

	Hatha yoga group	Control group
Low interference index	1.14 ± 0.22	1.20 ± 0.18
High interference index	1.53 ± 0.44	1.75 ± 0.55
Number of errors made	0.66 ± 0.81*	2.53 ± 1.06

Data are expressed as means ± standard deviations.

*: Significantly different compared to the control group.

Table 4. Indices of the Zazzo’s Cancellation Task measured in the control and Hatha yoga groups

	Dim 1		Dim 2
	Hatha yoga group	Control group	Hatha yoga group	Control group
Time (s)	5.00 ± 1.16	5.85 ± 1.61	10.91 ± 1.59*	15.62 ± 3.05
Number of omission errors	9.60 ± 7.10	15.73 ± 9.65	16.07 ± 6.67*	23.27 ± 6.79
Number of commission errors	0.00 ± 0.00*	1.27 ± 2.66	0.33 ± 0.72*	1.60 ± 1.24

Data are expressed as means ± standard deviations.

*: Significantly different compared to the control group.

Table 5. Indices of the reaction time tests measured in the control and Hatha yoga groups

		Hatha yoga group	Control group
First condition (Figure apparition)	Time (ms)	313.99 ± 49.65*	318.64 ± 68.13
	Number of errors	0.20 ± 0.24*	1.82 ± 1.63
	Number of forgets	0.02 ± 0.00*	1.15 ± 1.74
Second condition (Figure comparison)	Time (ms)	653.74 ± 87.45*	719.97 ± 63.41
	Number of errors	1.84 ± 1.32	2.75 ± 0.89
	Number of forgets	0.93 ± 0.30	1.15 ± 1.20
Third condition (A shape among X)	Time (ms)	533.29 ± 60.87	562.19 ± 86.05
	Number of errors	1.82 ± 0.92	2.02 ± 1.53
	Number of forgets	0.64 ± 0.50	1.00 ± 1.06

Data are expressed as means ± standard deviations.

*: Significantly different compared to the control group.