All Studies · Cognition & Neurodegeneration · Grzenda (2025)

Grzenda (2025)

High · RCT · Clinical-Grade RCT · n = 79
Quality Index (Adjusted QI) 0.911
0 Low < 0.56 Moderate 0.56–0.77 High ≥ 0.78 1
Study Details
ConditionSubjective cognitive decline (SCD) with cardiovascular risk factors in women at risk for AD
Clinical domainCognition & Neurodegeneration
PopulationPostmenopausal women (≥50 yrs) with SCD and ≥1 cardiovascular risk factor; mean age 66.5 ± 9.2
Sample sizen = 79
Country / SettingUSA (UCLA, Los Angeles, CA)
Protocol clusterKirtan Kriya (12-min)
Duration12 weeks; 60-min weekly in-person KY classes + 12-min daily KK homework; 24-week follow-up
Control typeActive Control
ComparatorMemory Enhancement Training (MET) — 12 weekly group classes with daily homework (mnemonic-based program)
Outcomes & Effect Sizes
Primary outcomeCognition (subjective + objective) + Immunological markers
Scales usedMFQ (Memory Functioning Questionnaire), HVLT-R/WMS-IV/Rey-Osterreith (delayed recall domain), Trail Making Test B (executive function), HAM-A, CD-RISC-25, PSS, SF-36, BDI, UKU Side Effect Rating Scale
Key resultKY showed large effect size improvement in subjective memory (MFQ seriousness of forgetting, d = -0.73) vs MET at 24 wks; KY uniquely altered aging-associated gene expression (interferon gamma pathways); eotaxin-1 increased in MET but not KY. KY showed decline in delayed recall vs MET.
Effect sized = -0.73 (subjective memory improvement, large); d = 0.69 (delayed recall decline, moderate-large)
ES value0.73 (d)
95% CI-1.26 to -0.19
Retention63/79 (80%) completed 24-week follow-up; KY retention 65% vs MET 95% (significantly different, p<0.001)
SafetyMonitored via UKU Side Effect Rating Scale; no serious adverse events reported
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Methodological Summary

RCT; N=79 (40 KY, 39 MET); 12-week intervention + 24-week follow-up; women only; SCD + CVRFs; RNA-seq + cytokine/chemokine assays; UCLA single-site

KY Protocol Components

Kundalini Yoga + Kirtan Kriya for Women at AD Risk (NCT03503669) DESIGN: RCT; KY (n=40) vs Memory Enhancement Training (MET, n=39). KY INTERVENTION: Weekly 60-min in-person classes with certified KY instructor for 12 weeks; groups of 6-10 participants. SESSION STRUCTURE: • Tuning in (5 min) • Warm up (15 min) • Pranayama — breathing techniques (15 min) • Kirtan Kriya — 12-min Sa-Ta-Na-Ma meditation with mudras (12 min) • Savasana — final resting pose (10 min) + closing (3 min) DAILY HOMEWORK: 12-min Kirtan Kriya using guided CD with background music. KK TECHNIQUE: Chant Sa-Ta-Na-Ma with sequential finger mudras; cycle through aloud → whisper → silent → whisper → aloud over 11 min; 1 min meditation/integration. Eyes closed, seated, visualize light entering crown and exiting third eye. COMPARATOR: MET — 12 weekly group classes teaching memory strategies with workbook; 20-min daily homework. BIOLOGICAL OUTCOMES: RNA sequencing + cytokine/chemokine assays at baseline, 12 weeks, 24 weeks. NOTE: This is a NEW RCT (NCT03503669) in WOMEN with SCD + cardiovascular risk, distinct from the earlier Eyre/Lavretsky MCI trials.

Quality Item Scores — 1 fail · 2 partial · 3 pass · ★ critical
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JP1
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Critical fails0
Raw QI0.911
SAF1
Adjusted QI0.911
Final ratingHigh