Psycho-biological effects with practicing Mano Shakti Yoga to stressed college students: A randomized controlled trial

Abstract

ObjectiveThere is no existing yoga that is designed specifically according to the traits of college-stressed students. So a novel Mano Shakti Yoga (MSY) was designed to alleviate stress-induced anxiety and depression in college students, which was assessed by physical and psychological measurements. MethodsA total number of 73 students with stress were recruited and were then randomly allocated into two groups: a) the yoga group received MSY intervention for 12 sessions, and b) the control group received no yogic intervention. And Zung’s self-rating anxiety scale (SAS), Zung’s self-rating depression scale (SDS), and cortisol saliva (CS) were assessed pre- and post- yoga intervention in both groups. ResultsThe post-yoga measurement, including SAS, SDS, and CS levels, were significantly decreased compared with the pre-yoga in the yoga group. However, there was no significant difference in the control group. ConclusionMSY, which focuses on body-mind interaction and integration, can effectively improve the psychological and physical state of high-stressed college students.