A Randomized Pilot Trial Evaluating the Impact of a Yoga Intervention on Cognition in Older Adults Infected With HIV

Summary

Approximately 50% of people living with HIV (and as many as 80% over the age of 50) have difficulties with cognitive functions such as memory and thinking that can have a profound negative impact on activities of daily living and quality of life. Problems with memory and thinking are also associated with forgetting to take anti-retroviral drugs and experiencing challenges to balance, walking and mental health (anxiety and depression). There is increasing evidence that, in the general population, exercise has positive effects on cognition, physical functioning and mental health. Despite the recognition of multiple therapeutic benefits of exercise, little attention has been paid to its possible effects on cognition in people living with HIV. The purpose of the proposed pilot study is to compare the effects of a 12-week, randomly assigned, community-based yoga-mindfulness intervention on cognition, balance, walking, mental health and quality of life in 30 people \>35 years of age living with HIV in the Halifax area. Yoga is of particular interest because it encompasses not only the physical but also spiritual, emotional, and mental dimensions of life. As such, it has tremendous potential to help stave off some of the devastating consequences of HIV infection.

Conditions

• HIV/AIDS
• Cognitive Impairment
• Aging
• Mobility Limitation
• Medication Adherence
• Depression
• Quality of Life
• Balance Problems

Interventions

OTHER

Yoga-mindfulness

Sample class: Warm-up (15 minutes) Standing poses (15 minutes) Balance poses (15 minutes) Abdominals \& back bends (10 minutes) Cool-down (5 minutes) Seated meditation Alternate nostril breathing Bellows breath Shoulder/neck stretches Cat-cow Forward fold Sun salutations Warrior 1 Warrior 2 Triangle Extended side angle Reverse warrior High lunge with twist Tree pose Standing holding knee Modified warrior 3 (chair support) Half moon Bird-dog Side plank Bridge Cobra Sphinx Corpse pose Side-lying Seated om Every month, a smudging ceremony will take place with an Aboriginal Elder for 5-10 minutes at the start of the class.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR)

  collaborator OTHER_GOV

• Adria Quigley

  lead OTHER

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

SINGLE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

35 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2017-01-31

Primary Completion

2019-08-31

Completion

2019-09-30

Countries

• Canada

Study Locations