A new study published in the Journal of Nursing Research, entitled “Effects of yoga on sleep quality and depression in elders in assisted living facilities” shows that after 6 months of performing yoga exercises, participants’ overall sleep quality had significantly improved, whereas depression, sleep disturbances, and daytime dysfunction had decreased significantly.  A sample of 69 elderly residents of assisted living facilities was divided randomly into a yoga exercise and control group based on residence location. A total of 55 participants completed the study and the study was implemented in three small groups, and each practice group was led by two pre-trained certified yoga instructors three times per week at 70 min per practice session for 24 weeks. The outcome measures of sleep quality (Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index) and depression state (Taiwanese Depression Questionnaire) were examined at baseline, at the 12th week, and at the 24th week of the study.

For the full abstract, visit Journal of Nursing Research : JNR [2010 Mar;18(1):53-61]