Abstract
Research interest and participation in yoga for health-related outcomes are increasing worldwide, though the medical hypotheses and underlying mechanisms of yoga are infrequently discussed. This literature overview employs a systematic search to include articles of clinical investigation, synthesis or review that focus on potential underlying mechanisms for yoga’s effect on prevention and treatment of disease. Results indicate that empirical evidence and theories for yoga mechanisms are most prevalent in areas of hormonal regulation, sympathetic activity in the nervous system and the betterment of physical health attributes such as improved balance, flexibility, strength and cardiorespiratory health. Hypothetical effects of yoga on metabolism, circulation, behaviour, oxidative stress, inflammation and psychological thought processes are also examined, while new hypotheses in immunology, nerve conduction and bioelectromagnetism are reviewed. In context of the Medical Research Council’s complex intervention framework, methodological limitations and prospective research directions are discussed.
Highlights
Popular and academic interest in yoga for treatment of health conditions are increasing at an alarming rate while over 30 million people claim to practice yoga for health benefit worldwide [1]
In response to the Medical Research Council’s guidelines for evaluating complex interventions [9,10], a coherent theoretical basis should be established in advance of further research development
A variety of outcome effects are presented in the literature, including treatment and prevention of cardiovascular disease (CVD), diabetes, obesity, arthritis, cancer, epilepsy and erectile dysfunction
Summary
Popular and academic interest in yoga for treatment of health conditions are increasing at an alarming rate while over 30 million people claim to practice yoga for health benefit worldwide [1]. In the United Kingdom, national healthcare services promote yoga as a safe and effective way to promote physical activity, improving strength, balance and flexibility as well as a potential benefit for people with high blood pressure, heart disease, aches and pains, depression and stress [5]. A recent summary (2012) indicates that there is relatively strong evidence to suggest that yoga may have beneficial effects for pain-associated disability and mental health [6]. A preceding overview (2010) shows unanimously positive evidence emerged for depression and cardiovascular risk reduction with yoga, with little supporting evidence to suggest benefit for patients with epilepsy, asthma or various pain conditions [7]. In response to the Medical Research Council’s guidelines for evaluating complex interventions [9,10], a coherent theoretical basis should be established in advance of further research development
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