Effect of Yoga on Memory in Elderly Women

Introduction: Cognitive impairment rate such as memory loss increases because of aging as a natural process. Based on the evidence, physical activity can lead to improved mental and cognitive function and also plays a preventive role against reducing cognitive function.  the purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of yoga exercises on memory of elderly women. Methods: This experimental study was a randomized, controlled clinical trial that was conducted in 2018. Two elderly day care centers in Yazd city ,in central  Iran were selected and randomly assigned to control and intervention groups. Then, according to the inclusion criteria, eligible people were selected from the centers and enrolled in the study. Participants were 58 elderly women who were assigned to control (n: 29) and intervention (n: 29) groups. Yoga exercises were held for 2 months (three 1-h sessions a week) for intervention group. The Wechsler Memory Scale was completed for both groups before and after the intervention. Data were analyzed by SPSS using descriptive and inferential statistics. Results: The mean score of memory in the intervention group before intervention was 77.7 ± 17.8 and after the intervention reached 86.4 ± 17.3, with a statistically significant difference (p < 0.05), but in control group, no significant difference was observed. In the intervention group, mental control, logical and visual memory subscales increased significantly (p < 0.05), but there was no significant difference in other subscales. There was no significant difference in any of the subscales in control group (p > 0.05). Conclusion: To improve the memory of the elderly, physical activity such as yoga exercise can be helpful. The elderly can routinely practice these exercises in elderly care centers.