The effects of yoga compared to active and inactive controls on physical function and health related quality of life in older adults- systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials.
Level 1 - systematic review of randomized trials
Systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
PubMed 30953508 · doi:10.1186/s12966-019-0789-2
What was done
A systematic review and random-effects meta-analysis evaluated the effects of yoga interventions on physical function and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in older adults (mean age ≥60 years) without specific clinical conditions. Databases searched through September 2017 included MEDLINE, PsycInfo, CINAHL Plus, Scopus, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, EMBASE, SPORTDiscus, AMED, and ProQuest. Included studies were English-language randomized or cluster-randomized controlled trials comparing yoga to inactive controls (e.g., wait-list, education booklets) or active controls (e.g., walking, chair aerobics). Standardized effect sizes were calculated as Hedges' g.
What was found
The review analyzed 27 records from 22 RCTs (17 assessed physical function, 20 assessed HRQoL). Compared with inactive controls, yoga significantly improved balance (ES = 0.7), lower body flexibility (ES = 0.5), lower limb strength (ES = 0.45), depression (ES = 0.64), perceived mental health (ES = 0.6), perceived physical health (ES = 0.61), sleep quality (ES = 0.65), and vitality (ES = 0.31). Compared with active controls, yoga significantly improved lower limb strength (ES = 0.49), lower body flexibility (ES = 0.28), and depression (ES = 0.54).
Why it matters
This review provides quantitative evidence that yoga supports both functional fitness and mental health in general older adult populations, showing measurable advantages over inactive controls and outperforming active exercise comparators on select strength, flexibility, and mood outcomes.
Limits
The total number of participants across trials is not stated in the abstract. Analysis was restricted to English-language publications. The abstract does not report intervention duration, frequency, specific yoga styles, adverse event rates, or long-term post-intervention maintenance.
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