Yoga Interventions Involving Older Adults: Integrative Review

There is growing scientific evidence that yoga interventions have positive impacts on health in community-dwelling older adults. Older adults are an exponentially growing cohort; efforts to improve their health can also contribute to community health. The objective of the current integrative review was to examine quantitative evidence concerning effectiveness of yoga interventions related to the health of community-dwelling older adults. Six studies met inclusion criteria of community-dwelling older adults, randomized controlled trial (RCT) design, and yoga intervention in the past 10 years. Hatha yoga was most frequently used; interventions were well-received with high adherence rates. Benefits from participation in yoga included improvements in psychological and physical health, such as reductions in anger, anxiety, and fear of falling, and increases in well-being, self-efficacy, improved executive and immunological function, strength, and balance. Findings reveal that additional well-designed yoga RCTs are indicated with longer intervention and follow up to assess lifespan changes. [Journal of Gerontological Nursing, 48(2), 43-52.].