Kilpatrick (2023)
Quality Index (Adjusted QI) 0.889
0 Low < 0.56 Moderate 0.56–0.77 High ≥ 0.78 1
Study Details
ConditionSubjective cognitive decline + AD risk
Clinical domainCognition & Neurodegeneration
PopulationWomen with SCD + CVD risk
Sample sizen = 22
Country / SettingUSA - academic medical center, clinical research setting
Protocol clusterKirtan Kriya (12-min)
Duration12 weeks, 60 min/week + daily 12-min Kirtan Kriya
Control typeActive Control
ComparatorMemory Enhancement Training
Outcomes & Effect Sizes
Primary outcomeBrain function (fMRI/SPECT/PET)
Scales usedfMRI; Cole-anticevic atlas; PSS; MFQ
Key resultHippocampal connectivity improved; stress-related connectivity better with KY
Effect sized = 0.68 (hippocampal connectivity); moderate-large
ES value0.68 (d)
Retention95% (21/22 completed)
SafetyNo adverse events reported
Methodological Summary
Randomized; masked raters; neuroimaging outcome; small sample
KY Protocol Components
Kirtan Kriya: 12-minute singing meditation using mantra "Sa-Ta-Na-Ma" with finger movements (thumb touches index, middle, ring, pinky sequentially). Structure: 2 min aloud → 2 min whisper → 4 min silent → 2 min whisper → 2 min aloud. STUDY-SPECIFIC: Dementia caregivers; continuing the caregivers research line; outcomes: stress, burden, resilience, well-being.
Quality Item Scores — 1 fail · 2 partial · 3 pass · ★ critical
★A1
3
A2
3
★B1
3
★B2
2
B3
3
B4
3
★B5
3
B6
2
★B7
2
★B8
3
B9
2
★C1
3
C2
2
C3
3
JP1
3
Critical fails0
Raw QI0.889
SAF1
Adjusted QI0.889
Final ratingHigh