Effects of Yoga-Like Exercises on Mild and Moderate Alzheimer Disease: A Randomized Controlled Trial Protocol

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Published Jan 2, 2025
https://doi.org/10.62438/tunismed.v103i1.5341
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Vol. 103 No. 1 (2025): Tunis Med Jan 2025

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Rihab Moncer
Department of Physical and rehabilitation , Sahloul Hospital of Sousse, Faculty of medicine of Sousse, University of Sousse, Tunisia
Habib Hajji
Department of Physical and rehabilitation , Sahloul Hospital of Sousse, Faculty of medicine of Sousse, University of Sousse, Tunisia
Salma Naija
Department of Neurology , Sahloul Hospital of Sousse, Faculty of medicine of Sousse, University of Sousse, Tunisia
Sana Ben Amor
Department of Neurology , Sahloul Hospital of Sousse, Faculty of medicine of Sousse, University of Sousse, Tunisia
Sonia Jemni
Department of Physical and rehabilitation , Sahloul Hospital of Sousse, Faculty of medicine of Sousse, University of Sousse, Tunisia
Helmi Ben Saad
Laboratory of Physiology and Functional Explorations, Heart Failure Research Laboratory (LR12SP09), Farhat HACHED Hospital. Sousse, Laboratory of Physiology. Faculty of Medicine of Sousse. University of Sousse, Sousse, Tunisia.

Abstract

Background:  While aerobic exercises have demonstrated efficacy in slowing cognitive decline and improving psychological symptoms associated with cognitive impairments, they may not be feasible due to multiple disabilities. Other gentle exercises with mindful approaches, such as “Yoga-like”, have been explored but lack clear evidence.


Aim:  To assess the efficacy of a "Yoga-like" intervention on cognitive and psychological features in patients with mild to moderate Alzheimer Disease (AD).


Methods:  We propose a randomized controlled trial design. Patients with mild to moderate AD who are able to undergo neurocognitive assessment and do not have conditions contraindicating deep breathing or extreme postures will be randomly assigned to an intervention group (IG: Yoga-like) or a control group (CG: no intervention). The ‘Yoga-like’ intervention consists of 30 minutes of exercises combining breathing, postures, concentration, and meditation, conducted three times a week over eight weeks. Both groups will undergo neuropsychological tests at baseline and after eight weeks, including attention, problem-solving, visuospatial abilities, mood and neuropsychiatric symptoms.


Expected results:  It is anticipated that the breathing, concentration, and meditation components of the intervention will improve attention, problem-solving abilities and behavioral symptoms. The postural components are expected to enhance visuospatial control and balance.

Keywords:

Aging, Mind-Body therapies, Neurocognitive Disorder, RCT

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Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

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