Hatha Yoga and Executive Function: A Systematic Review

Kimberley Luu · Peter A. Hall

62 citations0/0 files storedThe Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine

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Mindfulness and Compassion Interventions Physical Activity and Health Cognitive Functions and Memory

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Recent reviews have documented the beneficial effects of seated meditation on executive function (EF). However, there has yet to be a comprehensive review on the effects of Hatha yoga, a moving meditation, on EF. OBJECTIVE: To examine the empirical literature on the effects of Hatha yoga on EF. METHODS: MEDLINE, Scopus, and PsycINFO databases were searched for experimental studies (between- or within-subject designs) testing the effects of Hatha yoga (acute bouts, short-term interventions, longer-term interventions) on EF. RESULTS: A total of 11 published studies met eligibility criteria: Three studies involved healthy adults, 2 studies involved healthy older adults (n = 2), 1 study involved children and adolescents, and 5 studies involved medical (n = 4) or forensic (n = 1) populations. In healthy adults, 2 of 3 studies suggested that acute bouts of Hatha yoga improved EF; however, 1 study using a short-term intervention found no improvements in EF. Among healthy older adults, 1 study provided evidence that Hatha yoga improves EF. In child/adolescent samples, 1 study supported the contention that Hatha yoga improves EF after short-term interventions. Among medical populations, EF improved in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and in 1 of 3 studies involving patients with multiple sclerosis. The sole study involving impulsive prisoners showed positive effects on EF with a short-term intervention. CONCLUSION: Hatha yoga shows promise of benefit for EF in healthy adults, children, adolescents, healthy older adults, impulsive prisoners, and medical populations (with the exception of multiple sclerosis). However, more good-quality studies that evaluate the efficacy of Hatha yoga's effects on EF are essential to build on this evidence base.

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References

2011The Cochrane Collaboration's tool for assessing risk of bias in randomised trials 2012The Nature and Organization of Individual Differences in Executive Functions 2008Attention regulation and monitoring in meditation 2005Meditation experience is associated with increased cortical thickness 2010Mindfulness meditation improves cognition: Evidence of brief mental training 2010Does mindfulness training improve cognitive abilities? A systematic review of neuropsychological findings 2009Meditation, mindfulness and cognitive flexibility 2013Mindfulness Training Improves Working Memory Capacity and GRE Performance While Reducing Mind Wandering

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2020Mindfulness Training for Improving Attention Regulation in University Students: Is It Effective? and Do Yoga and Homework Matter?2016Examining the Acute Effects of Hatha Yoga and Mindfulness Meditation on Executive Function and Mood 2021Psychobiological Mechanisms Underlying the Mental Health Benefits of Yoga-Based Interventions: a Narrative Review

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