THE IMPACT OF GROUP-LED YOGA AND MINDFULNESS ON MENTAL AND PHYSICAL HEALTH IN SOUTH ASIAN WOMEN

Abstract

Abstract One in five South Asians (people from India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh) living in the U.S. report experiencing a mental illness, with women reporting a three-fold greater risk of distress than men. South Asian women commonly interpret mental health symptoms as physical illnesses and resist seeking medical help. Yoga is a multifaceted, effective practice promoting well-being by integrating mind and body. This study aims to determine the feasibility and impact of a 12-week (Jan-April 2023) yoga and mindfulness intervention on mental and physical health outcomes in South Asian women. Thirty community-dwelling South Asian immigrant women, age ≥45 years were recruited to complete weekly 90-minute sessions of Ashtanga yoga including meditation and mindfulness practice. We are currently reporting baseline and 6-week data of mindfulness and physical activity self-reported questionnaires as the intervention is ongoing, but 12-week data will be available for the final presentation. At baseline, participants were 53±6 years old and a majority (80%) were overweight/obese with BMI ≥25kg/m2. At 6 weeks, twenty-eight (93%) participants continued with the study and twenty-five (83%) attended ≥4 of the 6 sessions. By 6 weeks, participants’ scores improved on Five Facet Mindfulness by 17% (p< 0.001) and Godin Leisure-Time Exercise by 15% (p>0.05) from baseline. These results suggest the preliminary feasibility, retention, and potential impact of the intervention on mental health outcomes in this population. Future directions include developing a large-scale, randomized lifestyle intervention trial to delay/manage mental health outcomes in South Asian women of all ages.