Mild Cognitive ImpairmentNCT01983930
Memory Training Versus Yogic Meditation Training in Older Adults With Mild Cognitive Impairment
A study testing Kundalini yoga and meditation and Memory Training in people with Mild Cognitive Impairment, run by University of California, Los Angeles at 1 site in United States.
Trial summary
The purpose of this pilot study is to test whether 6 months of supervised weekly Kundalini yoga classes and a brief daily meditation homework assignment can improve memory and thinking in older adults with mild memory complaints when compared to weekly classes of memory training with daily homework assignments. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 55 to 90 years
- Conditions the study is for
- Mild Cognitive Impairment
- What is being tested?
- Kundalini yoga and meditation and Memory Training
- Type of treatment
- Lifestyle or therapy programme
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 81 participants
- Where
- 1 siteUnited States
- Study dates
- Sep 2013to May 2016
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- Yes, posted in the registrySummary in the doctors' view
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 55 to 90 years
- All sexes
- No healthy volunteers
- Adult, Older adult
Who may be able to join
- Mild cognitive impairment amnestic type
- Clinical Dementia Rating scale score of 0.5
- SufficientEnglish proficiency and 8th grade or higher reading level as determined by the word reading subtest of the Wide Range Achievement Test-IV
- Capacity to provide informed consent.
Who cannot join
- Any current or past psychiatric disorders, or recent unstable medical or neurological disorders
- Any disabilities preventing their participation in the memory enhancement training (MET) (e.g. severe visual or hearing impairment)
- Insufficient English proficiency
- Diagnosis of dementia
- Mini Mental Health Examination score of 24 and below
- Psychoactive medications
Show all 9Show fewer
- Participation in a psychotherapy that involves cognitive training
- Do not meet criteria for Mild cognitive impairment subtype
- Prior or current training in yoga.
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
About this study
The purpose of this pilot study is to test whether 6 months of supervised weekly Kundalini yoga classes and a brief daily meditation homework assignment can improve memory and thinking in older adults with mild memory complaints when compared to weekly classes of memory training with daily homework assignments.
Read the detailed description
The purpose of this pilot study intervention is to investigate brain mechanisms of response to memory enhancement training (MET) compared to Kundalini yoga and "Kirtan Kriya" meditation using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) that will be acquired from each subject at baseline and at 12 weeks (post-randomization).
Overall, the investigators anticipate recruiting 66 adults with memory complaints and diagnosed with MCI for adults 55 years old and older. Subjects will either receive: (1) MET class for 60 minutes per week; or (2) Kundalini yoga and "Kirtan Kriya" meditation class for 60 minutes per week. All assessments will be completed immediately after the interventions for a total of 10 visits in 12 weeks and a follow-up visit at 6 months (24 weeks)to monitor the overall benefit of the intervention.
- Conditions
- Mild Cognitive Impairment
- Being tested
- Kundalini yoga and meditation, Memory Training
- Keywords
- Memory impairment, Meditation, Yoga, memory training, Mild cognitive impairment, MCI, geriatric, fMRI
- Medical subject headings
- Cognitive Dysfunction, Memory Disorders
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Kundalini yoga and meditationBehavioural
Participants will participate in a 60 minute yoga and meditation session weekly for 12 weeks and will be assigned a daily Kirtan Kriya meditation (12 minute duration) for 12 weeks.
Memory TrainingBehavioural
Participants will attend a weekly memory training class for 12 weeks as well as receive daily memory homework (12 minute duration) for the 12 weeks.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Memory Training | Active comparator | Group memory training will be administered for amnestic mild cognitive impairment (MCI) Receives: Behavioral: Memory Training |
| Kundalini yoga and meditation | Experimental | Participants will engage in weekly yoga classes and daily 20 minute meditation Receives: Behavioral: Kundalini yoga and meditation |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Cognitive Measures - Hopkins Verbal Learning Test (HVLT) Total Recall Score
Primary outcome measures were administered by a cognitive battery of neuropsychological and included memory and executive functioning. Verbal memory was measured with the Hopkins Verbal Learning Test (HVLT) total recall scores. The HVLT form contains 12 nouns, four words each from one of three semantic categories (e.g., precious gems, articles of clothing, vegetables, etc.), to be learned over the course of three learning trials. When scoring the HVLT, the three learning trials are combined to calculate a total recall score. Total scores range from 0-36 with higher scores indicating better outcome.
Measured: At baseline and at 6 months
Secondary outcomes (3)
Clinical Global Impression Scale
The CGI measures severity of illness and global improvement. The CGI is rated on a 7-point scale, with the severity of illness scale using a range of responses from 1 (normal) through to 7 (amongst the most severely ill patients). CGI global improvement scores range from 1 (very much improved) through to 7 (very much worse).
Measured: Baseline, weeks 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 24
Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS)
Secondary outcomes measures included mood assessments with the GDS, a self-assessment scale often used in geriatric depression trials. The GDS is a 30-item screening tool used to identify depression in older adults. In scoring the Geriatric Depression Scale, each item is scored 0 or 1. The total score on the scale ranges from 0 to 30 with higher scores indicating worse outcome.
Measured: Baseline and Week 24
Change in Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) Connectivity
FMRI scans will be obtained at baseline and after 12 weeks follow up. Default mode network findings were analyzed and significant effects were identified for yoga and memory enhancement training groups.
Measured: Baseline and week 12
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted14 Nov 2013 (estimated)
- Study startSep 2013
- Primary completionMay 2016
- Study completionMay 2016
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Posted resultsParticipant flow, outcome measures and adverse events reported by the sponsor.
- Publications (1)Papers the sponsor has linked to this study.
- Other trials for Mild Cognitive ImpairmentStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- More trials run by University of California, Los AngelesThe sponsor's other registered studies.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase N/A
- Primary purpose
- Supportive care
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Enrolment
- 81 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- University of California, Los Angeles
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Helen Lavretsky, MD, University of California, Los Angeles
- Investigators
- Helen Lavretsky, MD, MS, Principal investigator, UCLA Semel Institute
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT01983930
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- 13-000821
- Status last verified
- Apr 2026
- First submitted
- 30 Oct 2013
- Last updated
- 22 May 2026
- Results posted
- Yes, on ClinicalTrials.gov
- Data monitoring committee
- Yes
- Individual data sharing
- No
Publications
Eyre HA, Siddarth P, Acevedo B, Van Dyk K, Paholpak P, Ercoli L, St Cyr N, Yang H, Khalsa DS, Lavretsky H. A randomized controlled trial of Kundalini yoga in mild cognitive impairment. Int Psychogeriatr. 2017 Apr;29(4):557-567. doi: 10.1017/S1041610216002155. Epub 2017 Jan 16.
PubMed 28088925
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 22 May 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Memory Training Versus Yogic Meditation Training in Older Adults With Mild Cognitive Impairment
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT01983930
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- 13-000821
- Conditions
- Mild Cognitive Impairment
- Keywords
- Memory impairment, Meditation, Yoga, memory training, Mild cognitive impairment, MCI, geriatric, fMRI
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 81 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- University of California, Los AngelesUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- Sep 2013
- Primary completion
- May 2016 (actual)
- Study completion
- May 2016 (actual)
- First posted
- 14 Nov 2013 (estimated)
- Results
- Posted 23 Oct 2018
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
The purpose of this pilot study is to test whether 6 months of supervised weekly Kundalini yoga classes and a brief daily meditation homework assignment can improve memory and thinking in older adults with mild memory complaints when compared to weekly classes of memory training with daily homework assignments.
Detailed description
The purpose of this pilot study intervention is to investigate brain mechanisms of response to memory enhancement training (MET) compared to Kundalini yoga and "Kirtan Kriya" meditation using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) that will be acquired from each subject at baseline and at 12 weeks (post-randomization).
Overall, the investigators anticipate recruiting 66 adults with memory complaints and diagnosed with MCI for adults 55 years old and older. Subjects will either receive: (1) MET class for 60 minutes per week; or (2) Kundalini yoga and "Kirtan Kriya" meditation class for 60 minutes per week. All assessments will be completed immediately after the interventions for a total of 10 visits in 12 weeks and a follow-up visit at 6 months (24 weeks)to monitor the overall benefit of the intervention.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Supportive care
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Number of arms
- 2
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Memory Training | Active comparator | Behavioral: Memory TrainingGroup memory training will be administered for amnestic mild cognitive impairment (MCI) |
| Kundalini yoga and meditation | Experimental | Behavioral: Kundalini yoga and meditationParticipants will engage in weekly yoga classes and daily 20 minute meditation |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 55 to 90 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Adult, Older adult
Key inclusion criteria (4 listed)
- Mild cognitive impairment amnestic type
- Clinical Dementia Rating scale score of 0.5
- SufficientEnglish proficiency and 8th grade or higher reading level as determined by the word reading subtest of the Wide Range Achievement Test-IV
- Capacity to provide informed consent.
Key exclusion criteria (9 listed)
- Any current or past psychiatric disorders, or recent unstable medical or neurological disorders
- Any disabilities preventing their participation in the memory enhancement training (MET) (e.g. severe visual or hearing impairment)
- Insufficient English proficiency
- Diagnosis of dementia
- Mini Mental Health Examination score of 24 and below
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| Kundalini yoga and meditationParticipants will participate in a 60 minute yoga and meditation session weekly for 12 weeks and will be assigned a daily Kirtan Kriya meditation (12 minute duration) for 12 weeks. | Behavioural | Kundalini yoga and meditation |
| Memory TrainingParticipants will attend a weekly memory training class for 12 weeks as well as receive daily memory homework (12 minute duration) for the 12 weeks. | Behavioural | Memory Training |
Primary outcome
Cognitive Measures - Hopkins Verbal Learning Test (HVLT) Total Recall Score
Time frame: At baseline and at 6 months
Primary outcome measures were administered by a cognitive battery of neuropsychological and included memory and executive functioning. Verbal memory was measured with the Hopkins Verbal Learning Test (HVLT) total recall scores. The HVLT form contains 12 nouns, four words each from one of three semantic categories (e.g., precious gems, articles of clothing, vegetables, etc.), to be learned over the course of three learning trials. When scoring the HVLT, the three learning trials are combined to calculate a total recall score. Total scores range from 0-36 with higher scores indicating better outcome.
3 secondary outcomes
Clinical Global Impression Scale
Time frame: Baseline, weeks 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 24
Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS)
Time frame: Baseline and Week 24
Change in Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) Connectivity
Time frame: Baseline and week 12
Results and safety
Loading the posted results from ClinicalTrials.gov…
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 22 May 2026.
- Posted resultsParticipant flow, baseline, all outcome measures and adverse events.
- Derived from this study: PubMed 28088925Eyre HA, Siddarth P, Acevedo B, Van Dyk K, Paholpak P, Ercoli L, St Cyr N, Yang H, Khalsa DS, Lavretsky H. A randomized controlled trial of Kundalini yoga in mild cognitive impairment. Int Psychogeriatr. 2017 Apr;29(4):557-567. doi: 10.1017/S1041610216002155. Epub 2017 Jan 16.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part. This study is not recruiting at the moment.
Helen Lavretsky, MD, MS principal investigator
UCLA Semel Institute
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Kundalini yoga and meditation and Memory Training in people with Mild Cognitive Impairment, run by University of California, Los Angeles at 1 site in United States.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 4 inclusion and 9 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 22 May 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in United States. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
Yes. Results are posted in the registry (first posted 23 Oct 2018). A summary is in the For doctors view, and the full results are on ClinicalTrials.gov.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Cognitive Measures - Hopkins Verbal Learning Test (HVLT) Total Recall Score (time frame: At baseline and at 6 months). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT01983930, which also lists 1 linked publication.
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 22 May 2026.