The purpose of this pilot study is to test whether 6 months of supervised weekly Kundalini yoga classes and a brief daily meditation homework assignment can improve memory and thinking in older adults with mild memory complaints when compared to weekly classes of memory training with daily homework assignments.
The purpose of this pilot study intervention is to investigate brain mechanisms of response to memory enhancement training (MET) compared to Kundalini yoga and "Kirtan Kriya" meditation using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) that will be acquired from each subject at baseline and at 12 weeks (post-randomization). Overall, the investigators anticipate recruiting 66 adults with memory complaints and diagnosed with MCI for adults 55 years old and older. Subjects will either receive: (1) MET class for 60 minutes per week; or (2) Kundalini yoga and "Kirtan Kriya" meditation class for 60 minutes per week. All assessments will be completed immediately after the interventions for a total of 10 visits in 12 weeks and a follow-up visit at 6 months (24 weeks)to monitor the overall benefit of the intervention.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
SUPPORTIVE_CARE
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
81
Participants will participate in a 60 minute yoga and meditation session weekly for 12 weeks and will be assigned a daily Kirtan Kriya meditation (12 minute duration) for 12 weeks.
Participants will attend a weekly memory training class for 12 weeks as well as receive daily memory homework (12 minute duration) for the 12 weeks.
UCLA Semel Institute
Los Angeles, California, United States
Cognitive Measures - Hopkins Verbal Learning Test (HVLT) Total Recall Score
Primary outcome measures were administered by a cognitive battery of neuropsychological and included memory and executive functioning. Verbal memory was measured with the Hopkins Verbal Learning Test (HVLT) total recall scores. The HVLT form contains 12 nouns, four words each from one of three semantic categories (e.g., precious gems, articles of clothing, vegetables, etc.), to be learned over the course of three learning trials. When scoring the HVLT, the three learning trials are combined to calculate a total recall score. Total scores range from 0-36 with higher scores indicating better outcome.
Time frame: At baseline and at 6 months
Clinical Global Impression Scale
The CGI measures severity of illness and global improvement. The CGI is rated on a 7-point scale, with the severity of illness scale using a range of responses from 1 (normal) through to 7 (amongst the most severely ill patients). CGI global improvement scores range from 1 (very much improved) through to 7 (very much worse).
Time frame: Baseline, weeks 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 24
Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS)
Secondary outcomes measures included mood assessments with the GDS, a self-assessment scale often used in geriatric depression trials. The GDS is a 30-item screening tool used to identify depression in older adults. In scoring the Geriatric Depression Scale, each item is scored 0 or 1. The total score on the scale ranges from 0 to 30 with higher scores indicating worse outcome.
Time frame: Baseline and Week 24
Change in Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) Connectivity
FMRI scans will be obtained at baseline and after 12 weeks follow up. Default mode network findings were analyzed and significant effects were identified for yoga and memory enhancement training groups.
Time frame: 12 weeks
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