The Therapeutic Potential of Yoga for Alzheimer’s Disease: A Critical Review

Issue title: Therapeutic Trials in Alzheimer’s Disease: Where Are We Now?

Guest editors: Paula I. Moreira, Jesus Avila, Daniela Galimberti, Miguel A. Pappolla, Germán Plascencia-Villa, Aaron A. Sorensen, Xiongwei Zhu and George Perry

Article type: Review Article

Authors: Brown, Adriel^{a; b} | Bayley, Peter J.^{a; b}

Affiliations: [a] War Related Illness and Injury Study Center (WRIISC), Veterans Affairs Palo Alto Health Care System, Palo Alto, CA, USA | [b] Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA

Correspondence: [*] Correspondence to: Peter J. Bayley, War Related Illness and Injury Study Center (WRIISC), Veterans Affairs Palo Alto Health Care System, Palo Alto, CA 94304, USA. E-mail: Peter.Bayley@va.gov and Adriel Brown, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA. E-mail: Adriel.Brown@va.gov.

Abstract: Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder characterized by cognitive decline, memory impairment, and behavioral changes, significantly impacting the quality of life of affected individuals and their caregivers. While pharmacological treatments offer limited relief, nonpharmacological interventions, like yoga, have gained attention for their potential therapeutic benefits. This critical review synthesizes findings from various studies on the feasibility, adherence, physical function, cognitive improvements, inflammatory markers, neuroprotection, and mood and behavioral changes associated with yoga interventions for older adults with AD. Despite these promising results, further research with randomized controlled trials, larger sample sizes, control groups, longitudinal follow-ups, standardized protocols, and diverse populations is necessary to confirm these benefits and understand the long-term effects of yoga on AD progression. This critical review highlights yoga’s potential as a valuable nonpharmacological intervention in the holistic management of AD.

Keywords: Alzheimer’s disease, clinical trials, dementia, interventions, mind-body, yoga

DOI: 10.3233/JAD-240719

Journal: Journal of Alzheimer's Disease, vol. 101, no. s1, pp. S521-S535, 2024