THE POTENTIAL FOR MIND–BODY THERAPIES AS FRAILTY INTERVENTIONS
2024

Mind-Body Therapies for Frailty

Sample size: 2384 publication Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Loewenthal Julia

Primary Institution: Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, United States

Hypothesis

Can mind-body therapies like yoga and tai chi improve frailty in older adults?

Conclusion

Yoga and tai chi can improve physical function and may help manage frailty in older adults.

Supporting Evidence

  • Yoga improved gait speed and lower extremity strength compared to inactive control groups.
  • Mind-body therapies are popular and adaptable for older populations.
  • Use of yoga among US adults increased from 5% in 2012 to 15.8% in 2022.

Takeaway

Doing yoga and tai chi can help older people stay strong and healthy, especially if they are frail.

Methodology

Systematic review of 33 randomized controlled trials of yoga interventions.

Limitations

More research is needed to determine the best ways to use these therapies.

Participant Demographics

Older adults, including already frail populations.

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1093/geroni/igae098.1279

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