Recreational Yoga and Emotional-Autonomic Health in Older Adults

THE RHYTHM OF CALM: EFFECTS OF RECREATIONAL YOGA ON EMOTIONAL AND AUTONOMIC HEALTH AMONG NURSING HOME RESIDENTS

Older adults living in nursing homes often experience depression, reduced satisfaction with daily activities, and changes in heart rhythm related to the autonomic nervous system. Non-drug approaches that are safe and easy to apply may help improve both emotional well-being and physical health in this population.

This randomized controlled study investigates the effects of a recreational therapy-based yoga program on emotional health and autonomic nervous system function in nursing home residents aged 65 years and older. Participants are randomly assigned to either a yoga intervention group or a control group. The yoga group participates in supervised yoga sessions twice a week for 10 weeks, including gentle yoga postures, breathing exercises, relaxation, and meditation. The control group does not receive any structured intervention during the study period.

Depression levels, leisure time satisfaction, and heart rate variability are measured before and after the intervention. Heart rate variability is used as an indicator of autonomic nervous system regulation. The study aims to determine whether recreational yoga can be a safe, low-cost, and effective non-pharmacological approach to improve emotional well-being and autonomic health among older adults living in nursing homes.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Aged 65 years or older.
• Living in a nursing home.
• Able to communicate and follow instructions.
• Voluntary participation with signed informed consent.
• Available to participate in the 10-week study protocol

Exclusion Criteria:

• Participation in therapy-based practices (e.g., yoga, reiki, massage) within the last month.
• Being bedridden.
• Use of psychiatric medications.
• Irregular participation in the 10-week yoga program.
• Failure to complete pre-test or post-test assessments