Yoga: Effect on Attention in Aging & Multiple Sclerosis

Study Results

Results pending

The study team has not published outcome measurements, participant flow, or safety data for this trial yet. Check back later for updates.

Basic Information

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Recruitment Status

COMPLETED

Clinical Phase

PHASE2

Study Classification

INTERVENTIONAL

Study Start Date

1999-09-30

Study Completion Date

2004-12-31

Brief Summary

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Changes in visual attention are common among elders and people with multiple sclerosis. The visual attention changes contribute to difficulty with day to day functioning including falls, driving and even finding one's keys on the kitchen counter as well as contributing to deficits in other cognitive domains. Yoga emphasizes the ability to focus attention and there is some evidence that the practice of yoga may improve one's cognitive abilities. Additionally, yoga practice may improve cognitive function through other non-specific means such as improved mood, decreased stress or declines in oxidative injury. We propose a randomized, controlled 6 month phase II trial of yoga in two separate cohorts: healthy elders and subjects with mild multiple sclerosis. We will determine if yoga intervention produces improvements on a broad attentional battery that especially emphasizes attentional control. To further understand the reported beneficial effect of yoga on its practitioners, we will also determine if there is a positive impact on measures directly related to yoga practice (flexibility and balance) as well as mood, quality of life and oxidative injury markers. The yoga intervention consists of a Hatha yoga class meeting twice per week. The class is taught by experienced yoga teachers who are supervised by a nationally known yoga instructor. There are two control groups. An exercise group will have a structured walking program prescribed by a certified Health and Fitness Instructor and Personal Trainer. The program will attempt to match the Hatha yoga class for metabolic demand. The second control group will be assigned to a 6 month waiting list. The outcome measures are assessed at baseline and after the 6 month period. The primary outcome measures are alertness (quantitative EEG and self-rated scale), ability to focus attention (Stroop) and ability to shift attention (extradimensional set shifting task). Secondary attention outcome measures include the ability to sustain attention (decrement in reaction time) and ability to divide attention (Useful Field of View). Other secondary outcome measures include flexibility, balance, mood, quality of life, fatigue (in MS cohort) and decreased markers of lipid, protein, and DNA oxidative injury.

Detailed Description

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Conditions

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Multiple Sclerosis

Keywords

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Multiple Sclerosis Yoga

Study Design

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Primary Study Purpose

TREATMENT

Interventions

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Yoga

Intervention Type PROCEDURE

Eligibility Criteria

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Inclusion Criteria

* Patients with MS who are mildly impaired with an expanded disability status scale of 0-4.0
* Healthy volunteers

Minimum Eligible Age

65 Years

Maximum Eligible Age

85 Years

Eligible Sex

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Principal Investigators

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Dr. Barry S. Oken

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Oregon Health and Science University

Locations

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Oregon Health Sciences University/Neurology

Portland, Oregon, United States

Site Status

Countries

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United States

Other Identifiers

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P50AT000066-01

Identifier Type: NIH

Identifier Source: secondary_id

View Link

P50AT000066-01P3