STM Journals Peer-reviewed research from Consortium e-Learning Network

Research and Reviews: A Journal of Pharmaceutical Science

Exploring the Connection between Mindfulness and Alzheimer's Disease/Parkinson's Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

  1. Kriti Pande
  2. Neelam Balekar

Abstract

Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease have serious effects on patients and their families, yet there are no known treatments to slow the progression of these diseases. Non-pharmacological treatments for these problems, like yoga and meditation, have begun to gain popularity. The purpose of this meta-analysis and systematic review was to examine the relationship between yoga and mindfulness meditation and Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease, as well as their potential to help symptoms and general wellbeing. Extensive research was carried out to collect relevant English articles published between 2002 and 2022. The inclusion criteria were limited to randomized controlled trials (RCTs) with participants aged 18 years and above. The quality of the studies was evaluated using the modified Jadad scale, and the data was analysed using Review Manager 5.4 software. The meta-analysis consisted of 14 RCTs with a total of 840 participants. The results showed a significant overall effect of mindfulness meditation and yoga on both Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease outcomes, with considerable reductions observed in measured outcomes. This meta-analysis provides compelling evidence that mindfulness meditation and yoga can be beneficial in improving cognitive function, reducing symptoms of anxiety and depression, enhancing sleep patterns, and promoting overall well-being in individuals with Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease. These non-pharmacological interventions offer a promising complementary approach to conventional treatments, potentially enhancing the quality of life for patients and their families. It is important to conduct additional research with larger sample sizes to verify these results. Integrating mindfulness meditation and yoga into the management of neurodegenerative disorders may provide a more holistic and comprehensive approach to care.

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