Assessment of the Effects of Yoga on Self-Perceived Health of Elderly

The effects of yoga on the self-perceived health of the elderly have not yet been considered in Vinh City, Vietnam.

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of yoga practice on the self-perceived health of the elderly.

Ninety subjects aged 60 to 70 (65±5.2) were recruited to take part in this study. Subjects were divided into two groups: The yoga group (YG, forty-five subjects) and the Control group (CG, forty-five subjects). Prior to intervention, participants were asked to complete an informed consent. The inclusion criterion for both samples was that subjects were able to completely fill SF-36. Exclusion criteria were serious diseases such as symptomatic coronary insufficiency, angina pectoris, obvious cognitive deficits, uncontrolled high blood pressure, and functionally dependent. Participants in the YG attended a 60-minute yoga practice session, twice a week for 3 months. Participants of CG were informed not to do any new exercise program, but still maintain daily activities.

After three months of yoga practice, participants in YG showed significantly better results in all aspects of health including physical functioning (F=61.498, P=0.000), role-physical (F=56.551, P=0.000), bodily pain (F=28.051, P=0.000), general health (F=61.478, P=0.000), vitality (F=62.147, P=0.000), social functioning (F=44.486, P=0.000), role-emotional (F=44060, P=0.000), mental health (F=34.524, P=0.000) in comparison to CG. 

Yoga practice can improve the physical and mental health of the elderly.