Mind-Body Exercise

This systematic review examined the effects of yoga on individuals with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) or dementia, analyzing ten studies with 421 participants. The findings suggest yoga may improve cognition, mood, balance, and sleep quality. Programs using Kundalini, chair, or Hatha yoga typically lasted 12 weeks and were compared to active or no-intervention controls. However, all studies showed a high risk of bias due to small sample sizes and inconsistent methodologies. The review highlights yoga's potential as a safe and accessible intervention to support brain health and emotional well-being, though higher-quality trials are necessary.

This study investigated how six 60-minute sessions of Hatha yoga, which included mindfulness meditation, influenced working memory (WM) and mindfulness in 43 participants. Results showed significant improvements in WM maintenance (Digit Span Forward) and manipulation (Digit Span Backward, Letter-Number Sequencing). Participants also reported increased mindfulness, although changes in mindfulness were not linked to WM improvements. Benefits were more pronounced in those with prior yoga experience. The findings suggest yoga enhances cognitive functions and mindfulness, though mechanisms remain unclear, and further research with larger, diverse samples is needed.

This study evaluated the cognitive and physiological impacts of yoga in 30 young healthy adults over five months. Participants practiced yoga for 90 minutes daily, six days a week, including postures, breathing techniques, and meditation. Results showed significant improvements in cognitive functions such as attention, memory, and executive function, linked to changes in brain activity (EEG band power) and heart rate variability (HRV). The findings suggest yoga enhances autonomic nervous system balance, boosting parasympathetic activity while reducing sympathetic stress responses, supporting mental alertness and relaxation. This highlights yoga's potential for improving cognitive performance and stress regulation.

This randomized controlled trial compared Kundalini Yoga (KY) with Memory Enhancement Training (MET) in postmenopausal women at risk for Alzheimer’s due to cognitive decline and cardiovascular risk factors. KY participants showed significant improvements in subjective memory performance and reduced aging-related biomarkers like eotaxin-1. In contrast, MET participants experienced declines in hippocampal connectivity. KY uniquely modulated psycho-neuro-inflammatory pathways, linking cognitive improvements to biological changes. These findings highlight KY as a potential holistic approach to cognitive health.

This study compared brain structure and function in 13 long-term yoga practitioners and 13 matched non-practitioners. Results revealed that yoga practitioners had larger left hippocampal volumes, a brain region vital for learning and memory. Functional MRI during a memory task showed less activation in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, suggesting greater neural efficiency. These findings align with research on how yoga impacts cognition and stress regulation, emphasizing its potential for improving brain health, especially in memory and emotional resilience.

This scoping review evaluated 14 studies on Tai Chi's effects on mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and early-stage dementia. Findings suggest Tai Chi may enhance global cognitive function, memory, and executive skills, while improving balance and reducing arthritis pain. However, results on depressive symptoms and perceptual-motor skills were inconsistent. Mechanistic studies in healthy adults showed increased brain connectivity and gray matter volume with Tai Chi practice, potentially explaining its cognitive benefits. Despite promising results, variations in study quality and methodology limit conclusions. Tai Chi appears to be a safe, non-pharmacological intervention to slow cognitive decline in at-risk populations.

This study assessed the effects of Tai Chi on cognitive functions and daily living activities in 160 older adults with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) in Hong Kong. Participants practicing Tai Chi twice weekly for 16 weeks showed significant improvement in cognitive performance (measured by the Mini-Mental State Examination) and their ability to perform daily tasks (instrumental activities of daily living, IADL), compared to a control group with no intervention. However, while these gains were statistically significant, they were modest and within the range of potential measurement error. The findings suggest Tai Chi as a potential, accessible intervention for enhancing cognitive health and maintaining independence among older adults with MCI.

This randomized clinical trial examined Tai Chi Chuan (TCC) versus fitness walking and a control group among 328 older adults in China with type 2 diabetes and mild cognitive impairment. After 36 weeks, TCC participants showed superior cognitive improvements, measured by the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), compared to the other groups. TCC also improved memory and reduced biomarkers associated with aging and glucose metabolism dysfunction. These findings highlight TCC as a promising mind-body exercise for enhancing cognitive health in at-risk populations, but further research is needed to confirm its broader applicability.

This systematic review examined six randomized controlled trials on yoga's impact on cognitive functions in healthy older adults. Four studies reported improvements in memory, attention, processing speed, and executive functions. The benefits were attributed to yoga's combination of physical postures, breathing, and meditation. However, the studies varied widely in yoga styles, duration, and intensity, making comparisons difficult. The overall risk of bias was high due to methodological inconsistencies, small sample sizes, and lack of blinding. Despite these limitations, the review highlights yoga as a promising intervention to support cognitive health in aging populations, warranting further research with robust designs.

This study protocol outlines a randomized controlled trial to evaluate the effects of an 8-style Tai Chi intervention on cognitive function in 106 participants with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) due to cerebral small vessel disease (CSVD). Participants will engage in 30-minute Tai Chi sessions, three times weekly for 24 weeks. The study will measure global cognitive function, specific cognitive domains (e.g., memory, attention), and brain activity through MRI and event-related potential tests. By comparing Tai Chi to a control group receiving only health education, this research aims to explore Tai Chi's potential as a safe, effective therapy for enhancing neuroplasticity and cognitive health in individuals with CSVD, a major contributor to vascular dementia.

This study protocol outlines a randomized controlled trial to assess the effects of Integrated Yoga Therapy (IYT) on cognitive impairment, cardiac dysfunction, and quality of life in breast cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy. Participants in the yoga group will practice IYT, including postures, breathing exercises, and meditation, five days per week for 14-24 weeks. The trial measures cognitive performance, brain health (fMRI and biomarkers like BDNF), and heart function (HRV and echocardiography). Expected outcomes include reduced chemotherapy-induced cognitive and cardiac side effects and improved overall well-being, addressing a critical need for non-pharmacological interventions in cancer care.

This study examined how short yoga and pranayama breaks impact cognitive function in desk-based workers during prolonged sitting. Participants performed tasks measuring attention and working memory across three conditions: uninterrupted sitting, pranayama, and yoga breaks. Results showed yoga breaks significantly improved reaction times in attention tasks (Flanker Test) compared to pranayama and sitting, although accuracy remained unchanged. Yoga and pranayama did not significantly affect working memory (N-Back Test). Findings suggest that brief, regular yoga breaks can enhance mental alertness in sedentary work environments, but effects on memory require further study.

This review explores the effects of Tai Chi on mild cognitive impairment (MCI) in older adults. Evidence indicates that Tai Chi improves memory, executive function, and global cognition. Mechanistically, it enhances brain connectivity, increases hippocampal volume, and modulates inflammation and neurotrophic factors like brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). Tai Chi also aids physical balance, reduces falls, and may delay dementia progression. However, variations in study designs and limited long-term data mean results should be interpreted cautiously. Tai Chi offers a safe, low-intensity option to support brain health and mitigate MCI-related declines.

This theoretical framework explores how yoga-based practices (YBP)—involving movement, breath regulation, and attention—affect brain health and cognitive performance. Evidence suggests YBP reduces stress and improves body awareness, emotional regulation, and cognition by modulating neural circuits, including the insula, prefrontal cortex, and basal ganglia. Yoga's slow, deliberate movements enhance interoception, coordination, and neuroplasticity, while controlled breathing promotes vagal tone and stress resilience. These findings highlight yoga's potential as a holistic approach to mental and physical well-being, though precise mechanisms need further study.

This study investigated the immediate impact of slow yoga breathing (SYB) at six breaths per minute on working memory and cardiac activity in 40 yoga practitioners. Techniques like alternate nostril breathing (ANB) and right nostril breathing (RNB) improved reaction times and accuracy on challenging memory tasks (2-back condition), reflecting better cognitive efficiency. SYB also increased heart rate variability, indicating enhanced autonomic control. These findings highlight SYB’s potential to support mental focus and stress-management, with implications for tasks requiring sustained cognitive effort.

This randomized controlled trial compared Modified Chen-Style Tai Chi (MTC) and 24-Style Tai Chi (TC-24) in 78 adults over 55 to evaluate their effects on cognitive function, balance, and physical fitness. Both styles improved cognitive scores, balance, and fitness after 12 weeks of practice, but MTC demonstrated greater enhancements due to its more complex movements, which stimulate neuroplasticity and brain-derived neurotrophic factors. Participants in MTC showed significant improvements in cognitive assessments, static and dynamic balance tests, and aerobic capacity. These findings suggest that incorporating cognitively challenging exercises like MTC into routines can offer superior brain and physical health benefits for aging populations.

This randomized controlled trial examined the impact of Tai Chi (TC) on cognitive performance and biomarkers in 66 older adults with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Participants practiced TC for 50 minutes, three times weekly for six months, or were in a control group receiving health education. The TC group showed significant improvements in memory and executive function, as well as increased brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels, a protein linked to brain health and plasticity. These findings suggest that TC may enhance cognitive abilities and support brain health in individuals at risk of cognitive decline, likely through neuroplasticity and biochemical changes.

This study explored how an 8-week Tai Chi Chuan (TCC) intervention influences brain functional network plasticity and cognitive flexibility in healthy adults. Compared to aerobic exercise and a control group, TCC significantly improved brain network specialization, increasing local efficiency and nodal clustering in regions like the thalamus and cingulate gyrus. These neural changes correlated with better cognitive flexibility, highlighting TCC's potential to enhance mental agility by strengthening brain connectivity and regional efficiency. Findings suggest TCC as a valuable mind-body practice to improve cognitive function and support brain health, though larger studies are needed.

This pilot randomized controlled trial compared Tai Chi (TC), conventional exercise (EX), and no intervention (control) in 37 older adults with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) over 24 weeks. Both TC and EX improved global cognitive function and memory compared to controls. TC specifically enhanced cognitive flexibility and executive function, measured by the Trail Making Test, more effectively than EX. Improvements in physical performance, mood, and quality of life were also noted in both exercise groups. TC’s meditative and motor complexity may explain its superior cognitive benefits. This study highlights Tai Chi’s potential as a practical, non-invasive strategy to slow cognitive decline in MCI.

This study examined how a single yoga session compares to aerobic exercise in improving cognitive performance among 30 female college students. Participants completed tasks assessing attention and working memory after yoga, aerobic exercise, and baseline conditions. Results showed yoga significantly improved reaction times and accuracy on demanding tasks, especially for working memory and inhibitory control, compared to the other conditions. Aerobic exercise showed no significant cognitive benefits. Yoga's meditative and focused nature may enhance executive functions, suggesting it as a practical option for boosting mental performance, even after short sessions.

This scoping review examined eight studies investigating yoga's impact on individuals with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) or dementia. Yoga, including Hatha and Kundalini styles, improved cognitive functions like memory, attention, and executive function, alongside mood and sleep quality. Neuroimaging showed enhanced brain connectivity and reduced atrophy in key regions like the hippocampus. Despite positive outcomes, the studies varied in design, yoga styles, and intervention length, limiting conclusions. Yoga appears to be a safe, promising tool for improving cognitive and emotional health in older adults with MCI or dementia, warranting further rigorous research.

This meta-analysis examined the effects of Tai Chi on cognitive function in older adults across eight studies, including intervention and cross-sectional research. Tai Chi significantly improved global cognitive function (measured by MMSE) and memory tasks like verbal and visual working memory (DSB, VSB). Improvements in executive function were less consistent but showed potential. The findings highlight Tai Chi as a beneficial mind-body exercise for enhancing cognitive health and slowing cognitive decline in aging populations. However, variability in study quality, sample sizes, and Tai Chi styles limits generalizability. Tai Chi’s focus on mindful movement and coordination may support cognitive and memory functions.

This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluated 20 studies on Tai Chi's effects on cognitive performance in older adults, including those with and without cognitive impairment. Results showed significant improvements in executive function, global cognition, and memory for both groups. Tai Chi outperformed non-intervention controls and, in some cases, active interventions like walking or other exercises. The cognitive benefits are linked to Tai Chi's combination of aerobic, meditative, and coordinated movement elements, which promote neuroplasticity and stress reduction. However, variations in study quality, intervention types, and outcome measures suggest the need for more robust, long-term trials.

This review explores yoga's therapeutic role in treating neuropsychological disorders, including anxiety, depression, Alzheimer's, and Parkinson’s. Yoga enhances neurotransmitter activity (like GABA and serotonin), brain connectivity, and neuroplasticity, improving memory, mood, and stress response. Neuroimaging studies show increased gray matter and hippocampal volume in yoga practitioners, associated with cognitive resilience. While yoga demonstrates significant benefits for mental and neurological health, variability in study designs and sample sizes limits definitive conclusions.

This systematic review analyzed 11 studies to understand how yoga affects brain health. Yoga, combining physical postures, breathing, and meditation, was found to improve brain structure and function. Studies showed increased gray matter volume in the hippocampus (key for memory) and better connectivity in brain networks like the default mode network (DMN), which supports self-referential thinking and memory. Yoga also reduced age-related brain atrophy and enhanced cognitive functions like memory and attention. These findings suggest yoga as a promising, accessible way to support brain health and combat neurodegenerative diseases, although further rigorous studies are needed.