Effectiveness of Pranayama on Depression in Elderly

• Main Authors: Kannan K, Lalitha.K, Ramachandra, Sailaxmi Gandhi, Naveen Kumar C
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Krishna Institute of Medical Sciences University 2015-01-01
• Series: Journal of Krishna Institute of Medical Sciences University
• Subjects: Elderly; Efficacy; Depression; Pranayama; Randomized Controlled Trial; Systematic Review Protocol
• Online Access: http://jkimsu.com/jkimsu-vol4no1/JKIMSU,%20Vol.%204,%20No.%201,%20Jan-Mar%202015%20Page%2018-27.pdf

The knowledge of Pranayama in elderly is very important in day to day life. In case of mental health problem like depression, the availability of the source of Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) like Pranayama helps to decrease depression. The aim of the review is to discuss the articles pertaining to pranayama on depression in elderly including both quantitative and qualitative studies published and unpublished and to review the related studies and other articles regarding effectiveness of pranayama on depression in elderly. The review was based on the studies conducted globally. Systematic searches were conducted on a range of databases, citations were sought from relevant reviews and several websites were also included in the search, including those of MIND and the Mental Health Foundation. MEDline, EMBASE, and PsycINFO were searched for studies published from 2000 January to December 2013. Five independent reviewers assessed the eligibility of each report based on predefined inclusion criteria (study design and measure of depression). Individual effect sizes were standardized. Results of 87 abstracts reviewed, 7 results were not Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT), 36 Studies were excluded due to their intervention and other problems, 25 Studies were excluded due to their outcomes, 2 dissertations was excluded, 17 Full Text articles were assessed for eligibility, Exclusion of study reports through full text screening n=8 duplicated: editorial review article: 3 Did not meet inclusion criteria: 4 Incomplete information: 9 studies met inclusion criteria and were included for final review. Heterogeneity between studies was not explained by age or sex, but could be partly explained by the types of depression and assessments. Collaborative care interventions are more effective for depression in older people than usual care and are also of high value. Pranayama are effective component with depression.