Yang (2016)
Quality Index (Adjusted QI) 0.657
0 Low < 0.56 Moderate 0.56–0.77 High ≥ 0.78 1
Study Details
ConditionMild cognitive impairment (MCI)
Clinical domainCognition & Neurodegeneration
PopulationOlder adults (≥55) with MCI randomized to KY+KK vs MET
Sample sizen = 20
Country / SettingUSA - neuroimaging research
Protocol clusterGeneral/Varied KY
Duration12 weeks; 60-min weekly sessions + 12-min daily KK homework
Control typeOther/Mixed
ComparatorN/A - Observational
Outcomes & Effect Sizes
Primary outcomeBrain structure (MRI)
Scales usedStructural MRI; gray matter volume
Key resultGray matter volume increased; brain structure preserved
Effect sizeGray matter volume differences; structural preservation
RetentionN/A - cross-sectional matched groups
SafetyN/A - observational comparison
Methodological Summary
Cross-sectional; observational; matched controls
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: Older adults; neuroimaging study examining brain network connectivity using resting-state fMRI; aging and cognition focus.
Quality Item Scores — 1 fail · 2 partial · 3 pass · ★ critical
★A1
2
A2
3
★B1
2
★B2
2
B3
3
B4
2
★B5
2
B6
2
★B7
2
★B8
1
B9
1
JP1
3
Critical fails1
Raw QI0.694
SAF0.946
Adjusted QI0.657
Final ratingModerate