The impact of a 12-Week yoga intervention on attentional performance in school-aged children: a randomized controlled...

Attention exerts a significant influence on the cognitive processes and behavioral performance of children. The incorporation of yoga as a component of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) has been demonstrated to be an effective strategy for enhancing attention. Nevertheless, the efficacy of this approach in promoting attention among school-aged children warrants further investigation. The present study was conducted with the objective of conducting an evaluation of the effect of Yoga sessions on the attention of children.

The present study was conducted as a masked, parallel-group, randomized controlled trial. A total of 131 children with normal intelligence and vision, and no personal or family history of mental illness, were randomly assigned by grade block using a computer to the Yoga group(n = 41), the physical education group(n = 41), or the control group(n = 45).)The randomization was generated by block randomization. The Yoga group attended a 40-minute Yoga class twice a week for 12 weeks, the physical education class group attended a 40-minute traditional physical education class twice a week for 12 weeks, and the control group did not participate in any physical activity. At 12 weeks prior (T0), 6 weeks (T6), and 12 weeks (T12), all participants completed attention tests, and teachers assessed children's attention using an attention rating scale. Both the coaches administering the intervention to participants and the teachers conducting the attention assessments were blinded. Repeated measures ANOVA and simple effect analysis were performed to ascertain any differences between the groups, as well as to identify any changes that occurred prior to and following the intervention.

At baseline, no significant differences were observed between the groups. Subsequent analysis, employing a repeated measures ANOVA, revealed a significant positive impact of Yoga on children's attention, in comparison to physical activity and the control group. Furthermore, Yoga was found to have a significant positive effect on attention allocation, attention shifts, attention span, and attention stability in comparison to physical education classes.

The results of the study demonstrated that Yoga had a significant positive effect on children's attention, and that the 12-week Yoga intervention led to improvements in their concentration.