Key result
Six-month yoga intervention trial evaluates brain network changes in elderly obese diabetic adults.
Why the study?
No study has used multimodal MR neuroimaging to systematically characterize brain alterations in elderly obese-diabetic populations or evaluate yoga-induced neuroplasticity in this cohort.
Does a structured yoga module improve structural and vascular brain networks and cognitive function in elderly obese adults with type 2 diabetes?
Does a structured yoga module improve structural and vascular brain networks and cognitive function in elderly obese adults with type 2 diabetes?
This study protocol describes a multi-phase approach to evaluate the neuroplastic and cognitive effects of a 6-month structured yoga intervention in elderly obese adults with type 2 diabetes using multimodal MR neuroimaging.
Answers are grounded in this paper and cite their sources.
May support yoga for brain health in obese elderly diabetics; leaves open efficacy until RCT completion.
<ns3:p>Background Obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) are associated with accelerated brain atrophy, white matter microstructural disruption, and resting-state functional network dysconnectivity in elderly adults, driven by converging vascular, neuroinflammatory, and insulin-resistance mechanisms. Yoga is a recognized mind-body intervention with documented benefits for glycaemic control, vascular health, and neurocognitive function; however, no study has yet employed multimodal MR neuroimaging to systematically characterize these brain alterations in an elderly obese-diabetic population or to evaluate yoga-induced neuroplasticity within this cohort. Methods This three-phase, prospective protocol will be conducted at Kasturba Hospital and the Center for Integrative Medicine and Research, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, India. Phase 1 is a case-control study (n = 80; 40 obese-diabetic, 40 obese-non-diabetic; age 60–80 years) employing carotid Doppler ultrasonography, T1-weighted voxel-based morphometry and region-of-interest segmentation (SPM12/CAT12/AAL3), diffusion tensor imaging with ROI-based tractography (ExploreDTI), and resting-state fMRI (CONN toolbox), alongside the Eriksen Flanker and N-Back cognitive tasks. Phase 2 involves the systematic development and expert content-validation of a structured, AYUSH-compliant yoga module tailored for elderly obese-diabetic adults. Phase 3 applies the validated module in a 6-month pre-post intervention, with objective adherence monitoring via triaxial accelerometry and repeat of the full Phase 1 neuroimaging and cognitive battery. Discussion This protocol addresses a critical gap in the yoga-neuroimaging literature by providing a multimodal, multi-phase framework to characterize neurovascular disease burden and evaluate structured yoga as a neurobiologically informed lifestyle intervention in a high-risk elderly population. Findings will inform AYUSH clinical guidelines, geriatric NCD prevention programs, and future randomized controlled trials.</ns3:p>
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Paramashiva et al. (2026) studied Obesity and Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (n=80). Structured Yoga vs. Obese-non-diabetic controls (Phase 1) / Pre-intervention baseline (Phase 3) was evaluated on Change from baseline to 6 months in carotid artery hemodynamic parameters, regional grey matter volume, DTI metrics, and resting-state functional connectivity. A 6-month structured yoga intervention will be evaluated for its effects on structural and vascular brain networks in elderly adults with obesity and type 2 diabetes.
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