Yoga Sessions Research Articles

Study protocol on effectiveness of yoga practice on composite biomarker age predictors (yBioAge) in an elderly Indian cohort- two-armed open label randomized controlled trial

IntroductionThe recent development of robust indices to quantify biological aging, along with the dynamic epidemiological transitions of population aging generate the unmet need to examine the extent up to which potential interventions can delay, halt or temporarily modulate aging trajectories.Methods and analysisThe study is a two-armed, open label randomised controlled trial. We aim to recruit 166 subjects, aged 60–75 years from the residential communities and old age clubs in Bangalore city, India, who will undergo randomisation into intervention or control arms (1:1). Intervention will include yoga sessions tailored for the older adults, 1 h per day for 5 days a week, spread for 12 months. Data would be collected at the baseline, 26th week and 52nd week. The primary outcome of the study is estimation in biological age with yoga practice. The secondary outcomes will include cardinal mechanistic indicators of aging- telomere length, interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor receptor II (TNF-RII), high sensitivity c-reactive protein (hsCRP)], insulin signaling [insulin and IGF1], renal function [cystatin], senescence [growth differentiating factor 15 (GDF-15)] and cardiovascular function [N-terminal B-type natriuretic peptides (NT-proBNP)]. Analyses will be by intention-to-treat model.Ethics & disseminationThe study is approved by the Institutional Ethics Committee of Swami Vivekananda Yoga Anusandhana Samsthana University, Bangalore (ID:RES/IEC-SVYASA/242/2022). Written informed consent will be obtained from each participant prior to inclusion.Trial registration numberCTRI/2022/07/044442.

A Pilot Study of Yoga with Incarcerated Youth Using the Prison Yoga Project Approach.

In recent decades, there has been more significant implementation and research of yoga programs in prisons and correctional facilities. Existing literature suggests that adult and juvenile prison-based yoga programs may improve stress-management and self-regulation skills; reduce depression, anxiety, aggression, and addictive behaviors; and increase prosocial behaviors. However, yoga in juvenile correctional facilities is still understudied compared to adult populations. The Prison Yoga Project (PYP) and Yoga FLAME (Focus, Letting go, Anger management, Mindfulness, and Exhaling negativity) are two frameworks used to structure the implementation of prison-based yoga programs among incarcerated adolescents. The present study aimed to describe trauma-related stress and self-regulation levels in a sample of incarcerated youth and to explore yoga's effects on developing stress-reduction skills. The study collected measures on overall and in-session stress reduction and baseline self-regulation. Because of the COVID-19 pandemic and public-safety restrictions, the present study was prematurely terminated after 5 months. Only pre-assessment measures were collected. Across time, participants reported a 38% mean stress reduction from the beginning to the end of a yoga session. Incarcerated youth with higher initial self-regulation levels showed higher pre- to post-session improvements in stress. The present findings provide valuable evidence that yoga practice using the combined PYP and FLAME framework can deliver practical benefits to juvenile correctional facilities. Furthermore, yoga may be used to foster rehabilitation, enhance skill development, and facilitate greater success in youth transitioning back into the community.

Importance of Yoga Postures in Sports

The purpose of this study was to evaluate how yoga can benefit an athlete's body and mind, both physically and mentally. Yoga has been practiced since ancient times. Finding a style of yoga that suits you can be overwhelming at first. If you are a competitive athlete, it is best to tailor your yoga sessions to your training schedule as a particular sport may develop certain muscle groups at the expense of others. Over time, this process creates imbalances in the muscles and joints, leading to frequent injuries. Yoga helps muscles, tendons and ligaments move through a full range of motion,developingbalanceandcorestrength which isahugeadvantageforathletesintheirchosen sports. Another essential element in yoga is breathing exercises (Pranayama). Focusing on breathing during yoga can be considered one of the most important benefits for athletes. Learning to stay focused and focused through uncomfortable postures, while also focusing on inhaling and exhaling, prepares the athlete to remain focused during a race or challenging workout. Yoga requires a mind-body connection to help athletes develop mental acuity and concentration. Additionally, yoga not only helps you relax tight muscles but also relaxes the anxious and highly stressed mind. Getting more rest will also help with athletic performance. Therefore, incorporating yoga into the training plan will enhance performance and protect the athlete from injury.

Evaluating Cardiovascular Changes After a Single Yoga Session: A Retrospective Study

Aim and objective: This retrospective review of clinical data was done at the School of Yoga Therapy (SYT) (formerly Centre for Yoga Therapy, Education and Research (CYTER)) of Sri Balaji Vidyapeeth (SBV) to determine the cardiovascular (CV) effects of a single yoga session in patients of different medical conditions as well as in normal subjects. Methods: Data of 6026 patients (3962 female, 1880 male, and 184 transgender) who attended yoga therapy sessions at SYT. Heart rate (HR), systolic (SP) and diastolic pressure (DP) had been recorded using non-invasive blood pressure (NIBP) apparatus Participants were undergoing appropriate yoga therapy protocols as per their condition while normal subjects had a general schedule of practice. Results: There were statistically significant reductions (p<0.001) in all the studied CV parameters following the yoga session. Conclusion: There is a healthy reduction in HR, BP, and derived CV indices following a single yoga session. A similar study published earlier in 2013 from SYT (formerly CYTER) has been done with a larger population, and the effect of Yoga therapy on different medical conditions is proved yet again.

A structured laughter yoga therapy program on patients with chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting: A randomized clinical trial

ObjetiveChemotherapy is a prevalent cancer treatment, often accompanied by debilitating side effects such as nausea and vomiting. This study explores the potential effectiveness of laughter yoga, a combination of exercise and voluntary laughter, in alleviating chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting. MethodsThis two-group randomized clinical trial was conducted on 69 cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy at the Reza Chemotherapy and Oncology Center, Mashhad, Iran, in 2018. Patients were randomly divided into intervention and control groups. Both groups received routine self-care training, with the addition of four 20-min to 30-min laughter yoga sessions held immediately before one of their chemotherapy appointments for the intervention group only. Nausea and vomiting were assessed using the Morrow Assessment of Nausea and Emesis questionnaire at two stages, before and after the intervention. Data were analyzed with Chi-square, Independent-t, Mann–Whitney, Wilcoxon, and McNemar tests using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS). ResultsThe mean age of patients in the intervention group was 49.0 ± 9.6 years, while in the control group, it was 45.2 ± 12.6 years. The intragroup comparison showed a statistically significant decrease in the severity and duration of nausea in the intervention group and a statistically significant increase in the severity and duration of nausea in the control group from pre-test to post-test (P < 0.05). The intergroup comparison showed no statistically significant difference between the two groups in terms of vomiting conditions. ConclusionsLaughter yoga demonstrates promise in improving chemotherapy-induced nausea, suggesting its potential recommendation for managing this distressing side effect. Further research is warranted to explore its broader application in cancer care. Trial registrationThis study (No. IRCT20180429039463N1) was registered in the Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials on 21/08/2018.

Abstract 16553: Effects of Digital Yoga on Physical and Psychological Outcomes in Patients With Heart Failure: A Randomised Controlled Trial

Objectives: To determine effects of digitally delivered yoga on exercise capacity and patient-reported outcome measures. Methods: Two-arm randomised controlled study including participants with heart failure or conditions in need of intensive care from four hospitals in Sweden. Participants were randomised to a control group receiving individual exercise advice or to the intervention group (tele-yoga). The intervention lasted for 3 months and included live-streamed group-yoga via Zoom for 60 minutes twice/week and individual yoga for a minimum of 10 minutes/day using an app. The primary endpoint of the study was a combined endpoint consisting of change in functional capacity measured by 6 minute walk test (6MWT), health-related quality of life (EQ-5D index/VAS) and symptoms of anxiety and depression (hospital anxiety and depression scale - HADS). The primary end-point analysis after 3 months follow-up compared the change in the combined endpoint between the participants in the tele-yoga and control group. Secondary endpoints included separate analysis of functional capacity, health-related quality of life and symptoms of anxiety/depression. Results: 311 participants were randomized to tele-yoga (n=156) and control (n=155), mean age 66 years, 30% women, 80% diagnosed with heart failure. There was a significant improvement in favor of the tele-yoga group in the combined primary endpoint consisting of physical function, quality of life and anxiety and depression (p=.006). When analysing them separately, there was a significant improvement in 6MWT (p=.008) and quality of life in EQ-5D VAS (p=.014), but not in EQ-5D index (p=.12), and a significant difference between the groups in symptoms of anxiety and depression (p=.03). Median attendance to yoga-sessions was 20 sessions (maximum 24) and 69% of the study participants were adherent to &gt;18 tele-yoga sessions. There were no adverse events reported during yoga sessions or app usage. Conclusion: Digitally delivered mind-body training such as tele-yoga showed a significant improvement in the combined end-point consisting of physical function, health-related quality of life and mental health. Tele-yoga may be a promising new form of rehabilitation for patients with heart failure.

A Longitudinal Two-Armed Randomized Controlled Trial Protocol to Evaluate the Efficacy of Yoga on Progression of Disease in Early Parkinson’s Disease

Background Numerous studies have shown that yoga can aid patients with Parkinson’s disease (PD) in managing their motor function, functional mobility, balance, anxiety, and overall quality of life. However, most of the reported research either needed more power or evaluated the results during or after the intervention. Due to the long-standing nature of PD, there are still few longitudinal studies investigating the potential of yoga to decrease the progression of the disease. Purpose We study whether sustained adjunct yoga intervention slows PD progression. Methods Over 18 months, this study will investigate the long-term benefits of yoga-based intervention in Parkinson’s patients. The concept of “intention-to-treat (ITT)” will be employed. From the outpatient clinic of the Swami Vivekananda Yoga Anusandhana Samsthana in India, 160 patients with PD will be chosen. They will then be randomly assigned to either the interventional or control groups (1:1). The adjunct intervention group will participate in 21 daily contact yoga sessions (60 min) at the University Medical Center, followed by continued tele-supervised home practice and at-home self-practice. The effectiveness of the adjunct intervention will be evaluated at four different time points (baseline, 3-, 9-, 12-, and 18-month post-randomization). The primary endpoint will be the difference in the Movement Disorder Society-Unified Parkinson Disease Rating Scale (MDS-UPDRS) Part III score at baseline and after 18 months of intervention. Secondary outcomes will include subscores of MDS-UPDRS I, II, and IV, Parkinson’s Disease Questionnaire (PDQ)-39 scores, treatment adherence, the PDQ-39, the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale-21, and the Scales for Outcomes in PD-Sleep Scale (SCOPA-S). The primary outcome will be analyzed using mixed-effect models for repeated measures, adjusted for covariates as fixed effects. Results The protocol was conceptualized in October 2021 and approved by the Institutional Ethics Committee of SVYASA. Recruitment began in February 2022 and is underway with patient enrollment. Conclusion To our knowledge, this is the first controlled study to examine the long-term effects of yoga as an adjuvant therapy on the progression of PD. Key message This would be the first long-term trial to assess the potential of an adjunct yoga intervention to modulate disease progression in early Parkinson’s patients.

Effect of Yoga Therapy with Ayurvedic Diet on Sleep Quality Among Aged Insomniac Women

This study investigates the impact of a holistic approach combining Yoga therapy and Ayurvedic dietary interventions on sleep quality in aged women suffering from insomnia. A single group study was conducted, involving aged women (age range: 60 to 70years) diagnosed with insomnia based on standardized assessment criteria. The intervention group attended supervised Yoga sessions six times a week for 12 weeks, complemented by personalized Ayurvedic dietary recommendations. The primary outcome measure was sleeping quality, assessed using standardized sleep quality indice, Insomnia Severity Index (ISI), administered at baseline and post-intervention (12 weeks). Secondary outcome measure was anxiety and fear acessed by VAS (Visual Analog Scale). Preliminary results indicate a significant improvement in sleep quality in the intervention group, as evidenced by reductions in ISI scores, anxiety and fear (p &lt; 0.001). These results imply that the integration of Yoga therapy with Ayurvedic dietary practices can have a positive and long-lasting impact on quality of sleep and general wellbeing in aged women with insomnia. In conclusion, this study highlights the potential benefits of a holistic approach to addressing insomnia in aged women, emphasizing the role of complementary therapies such as Yoga and Ayurvedic dietary interventions in improving sleep quality and enhancing overall quality of life. Further research is needed to explore the long-term effects and mechanisms underlying these positive outcomes.

Use of traditional and complementary medicine by ethnic Indian women living with polycystic ovary syndrome: a global survey

BackgroundTraditional, complementary, and integrative medicine (TCIM) is commonly used by those living with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) but little is known about the use of TCIM such as yoga and Ayurveda in ethnic Indian women with PCOS living worldwide. This survey aimed to explore the prevalence and types of TCIM used and in particular the pattern of use of yoga and Ayurveda including reasons for not using and future interest in using them among non-users.MethodAn online, international cross-sectional survey was conducted using a pre-designed survey tool. Participants were ethnic Indian women of reproductive age who reported that they were medically diagnosed with PCOS. Descriptive analysis was used to identify the proportion of TCIM users, while a multivariable binary logistic regression was used to analyze their characteristics.ResultsData from 3130 respondents were analysed. The prevalence of TCIM use was 80% (2515/3130). Yoga and Ayurveda were the most frequently practised TCIM modalities with a prevalence of 57% and 37% respectively. We found a high future interest in using yoga (81%) and Ayurveda (70%) among the non-users. The motivation for most Ayurveda use was a recommendation from family/friends (66%), rather than personal choice (38%) or the internet (19%). Most women used Ayurveda because it has natural ingredients (64%) and it is safe (60%) and cited its use to be safe and somewhat helpful. The majority of women were currently practising yoga (73%) up to four times a week (54%) at home (93%). Yoga was primarily used to improve overall health (67%), manage weight (64%), stress (54%) hormonal imbalance (49%) and emotional well-being (48%). Barriers to practising yoga were common among the current users and non-users and included lack of motivation (59% and 59%), time constraints (48% and 39%), and non-availability of yoga teachers specialised in PCOS (31% and 23%). Most women found yoga to be helpful and preferred individual one-on-one (52%) yoga sessions specifically tailored for PCOS (58%).ConclusionThis is the first international study that discovered the prevalence and pattern of TCIM use among ethnic Indian women with PCOS living worldwide. We support the urgent need for more research, education, and regulation of different TCIM modalities to promote safe and effective practices globally.

Feasibility and Acceptability of an Online Yoga Study Among Individuals with Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS).

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a gastrointestinal disorder characterized by chronic abdominal pain that is often comorbid with psychiatric disorders and other pain-related conditions. The practice of yoga improves symptoms among patients with IBS, although the virtual delivery of yoga in this patient population remains understudied. The purpose of this article is to report feasibility and acceptability of a 6-week pilot yoga intervention among IBS and healthy control participants, which was transitioned to an online format in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Participants attended 3 virtual study visits and received 60-minute private yoga sessions twice weekly for 6 weeks via Zoom. Sixteen females (n = 8 in IBS group, n = 8 in control group) with a mean age of 34.7 identified as White (87.5%) and Asian (12.5%). All participants attended all 3 study visits; 14 participants attended 12 yoga sessions, 1 attended 11, and 1 attended 9. At the end of the study, 81.3% of participants strongly agreed that participating in the online study was beneficial and convenient, and 87.5% strongly agreed that participating in the online yoga program was beneficial. Our online study and yoga intervention was feasible and acceptable; future studies with larger and more diverse populations will be conducted to investigate health effects among individuals with IBS.

Psychological Risk Assessment with Hamilton Scales Among Menopausal Women in Chennai, South India

Introduction: Menopausal women must undergo routine mental health screenings to ensure their best mental health. This study was designed to evaluate the mental health of women going through menopause, and to associate sociodemographic and clinical factors with mental health impairment. Methodology: In this cross - sectional study, 200 menopausal women were included after getting informed consent. Data was collected using self-administered questionnaire, Hamilton Scales for Anxiety and Depression and analysis was done using SPS software. Results: The mean age of the postmenopausal women in the study was 49.5 years. Nearly 28% of women had complete high school education and 11% were graduates. About 13% of the participants were engaged in semi-professional work, 13% in unskilled work and 8.5% in clerical jobs. The factors which were found to have a statistically significant association with mental health (p&lt;0.05) were age at menopause, education, occupation and duration of menopause. Conclusion: Numerous initiatives including regular yoga sessions, creation of self-help groups, and the provision of calcium, iron and vitamins can aid in lowering postmenopausal women's psychological stress. This can enhance their ability to cope with menopause and its effects. With the use of information, education, and communication (IEC) efforts, the community must be made aware of menopause.

Manfaat Yoga Online bagi Remaja Putri dalam Meningkatkan Emosi Positif pada Pembelajaran Tatap Muka

Entering the odd semester of the 2021/2022 academic year, middle school (SMP) students begin offline school (PTM) after more than one year of distant learning (PJJ) due to covid19. This study aims to explore the understanding of the benefits of yoga among young adolescent girls returning to school after pandemic. The participants were three seventh graders, age 13 years old, asked to participate in the entire process of research including four (4) teen yoga sessions and semi-structured interviews, all conducted online. Qualitative data were obtained from interview transcripts. The results showed that participants perceived the benefits of yoga in increasing positive emotions, decreasing negative emotions, and improving sleep quality and their social relationship. Research limitations in the form of problems with internet connectivity and lack of research time are also discussed. Further research has been proposed to explore the benefits of yoga for the early teen.

Can Mindfulness be an Alternative for Servant Leadership? A Well-being Perspective

Servant leaders go beyond their self-centeredness and genuinely work toward strengthening the well-being (WB) of their followers. However, organizations cannot solely rely on servant leaders to stimulate the WB of their workforce as numerous factors affect servant leadership (SL), which may hinder its successful implementation in the workplace. Therefore, it is essential to determine to what extent an individual trait such as mindfulness can compensate for this leadership. Being focused, optimistic, and present in the moment fosters the WB of a person, which may reduce their reliance on external leadership. Thus, by relying on the “substitutes for leadership theory,” this study examines the moderating role of mindfulness in the SL and WB relationship. The data were collected from the 265 Indian service sector employees and were analyzed using the SPSS-20 and AMOS-21 software. The study’s results revealed that SL and mindfulness were significantly related to employee WB. Moreover, employees’ mindfulness moderates the SL and WB relationship. Also, mindfulness partly substitutes for a low level of SL in the workplace. Hence, by organizing meditation and yoga sessions in the organizations, employees’ mindfulness can be enhanced which reduce the reliance on the leadership style of the managers.

The Effectiveness of a Yoga Program on Psychological and Cardiovascular Outcomes of Undergraduate Nursing Students.

Psychological problems among nursing students are well documented. Unfortunately, only a minority of these populations seek help related to their psychological distress. Yoga exercises improve individuals' psychological distress and cardiovascular outcomes. Therefore, we conducted this study to test the feasibility and preliminary efficacy of our health promotion theme-based yoga program to reduce the participants' stress levels and anxiety symptoms and improve their blood pressure and heart rate. This study has a pre/posttest quasi-experimental design. A convenience sampling method was used to recruit the participants who were 18 years or older and could speak and read English. Individuals with any contraindication to participate in yoga or receiving any medications for their mental health or cardiovascular health were excluded from the study. The Perceived Stress Scale and the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale-21 were used to measure the participants' stress levels and anxiety symptoms, respectively. Their blood pressure and heart rate were measured by using a standard blood pressure measuring machine. Participants received 50 minutes of weekly yoga sessions in groups and also performed individual yoga sessions 3 times a week for 8 weeks. Descriptive statistics were used to answer our research questions. Our recruitment rate of 47% (n = 19) was lower than our anticipated rate of 80%; however, we had a retention rate of 90%. There was a reduction in participants' stress levels and anxiety symptoms from the preintervention phase to the postintervention phase. A larger study and a randomized controlled trial are warranted to draw conclusions.

Peri-menopausal symptoms and its management by Yoga Therapy

With increased life expectancy today, women spend one-third of their life after menopause. Thus, more attention is needed towards peri-menopausal symptoms estrogen replacement therapy is the most effective treatment, however it has its own limitations. The present need is to explore new options for the management of perimenopausal symptoms. Yogic life style is a way of living which aims to improve the body, day and mind to Pranayama and Dhyana. Yoga been utilized as a therapeutic tools to achieve positive tools to achieve positive health and control and cure disease. The exact same as to how Yoga helps in various disease states is not known. There could be neurohormonal pathways with selective effect in each pathological situation. There have been multiple studies that have combined the many aspects of Yoga into a general Yoga session in order to investigate its effect on perimenopausal symptoms. Integrated approach of Yoga therapy can improve hot flushes and night sweats. There is increasing evidence suggesting that even the short-term practice of Yoga can decrease both psychological and physiological risk factors for cardiovascular disease studies conclude that our age old therapy, Yoga is fairly effective in managing perimenopausal symptoms.

Effects of Yin Yoga on Burden and Self-Compassion in Caregivers of Persons With Dementia: A Pilot Study.

Informal caregivers of persons with dementia face tremendous challenges in balancing their own needs and those of the care recipient. The aim of the current pilot study was to test the feasibility and acceptability of a Yin yoga intervention on caregiver burden and self-compassion. This study used a convenience sample (N = 5) with one group pre-survey/post-survey design. Participants were asked to complete a 60-minute Yin yoga intervention via Zoom three times per week for 8 weeks. Pre- and post-intervention comparisons were performed on caregiver burden (Zarit Burden Interview Scale) and self-compassion (Neff Self-Compassion Scale). Results indicated that the intervention was feasible and acceptable with slight modifications, including (a) leveraging social networks to increase the scope of recruitment efforts nationally and increase the size and diversity of the sample, (b) adding an activity log to better understand adherence, and (c) offering more live yoga sessions. [Journal of Gerontological Nursing, 49(6), 22-27.].

The Effect of Yoga on Anxiety, Attention and Social-Emotional Symptoms in Preschool Children: A Pilot Quasi-Experimental Study.

This study evaluated the effectiveness of a short yoga session on behavioral and cognitive outcomes in preschool children. 72 children ages 4-6 from a local preschool were divided into an intervention group (n = 32), and a control group (n = 40) that completed a 15min, age-appropriate yoga video consisting of interactive poses including: sun salutation, cat, cow, downward dog, upward dog, warrior, gorilla, etc. Three teacher-rated questionnaires and a cancellation task (Cx) were administered pre-intervention and post-intervention. Significant improvement was demonstrated in the yoga group on the teacher-rated questionnaire scores, but not the control group. Correct cancellations increased more in the yoga group compared to the control group, with remaining cancellation metrics demonstrating interaction effects. Findings indicated that a short yoga session improves measures of anxiety, social-emotional behavior, and attention in preschool children. This study suggests that a short 15-minute yoga session may improve behavior and attention in preschool children.

Effect of Structured Yoga Program on Stress and Well-being Among Frontline Healthcare Workers During COVID-19 Pandemic.

Frontline healthcare workers are at risk of developing psychological distress during a pandemic. Yoga, a form of mind-body medicine can reduce body stress and increases well-being. To assess the effect of yoga on the stress and well-being of healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic. This single-arm pre-post study was conducted among frontline health workers (support staff, paramedics, and medics) posted at a secondary care hospital in a North Indian district. Basic demographic details, blood pressure, anthropometric variables like height, weight, and biochemical variables like glycosylated hemoglobin (Hb1Ac), fasting and post-prandial blood sugar, lipid profile, serum cortisol, and C-reactive protein were measured. Stress levels were assessed using the depression anxiety and stress scale (DASS)-21 while well-being was assessed using the World Health Organization (WHO)-5 well-being scale.Twelve weeks of supervised yoga session was provided for 1 hour per session, 3 times per week. The mean value was compared from baseline to post-intervention with paired t-test/Wilcoxon signed rank test. A total of 89 participants were enrolled, 53 (59.5%) being male. Two-thirds of the participants were aged 20-39 years. During follow-up, 80 participants completed 12 weeks of yoga sessions. Post-intervention DASS-21 score decreased and WHO-5 increased significantly. The glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) level and cholesterol-HDL ratio decreased significantly. Other variables didn't change significantly. No adverse effects were reported by the participants. Supervised structured yoga sessions helped decrease stress, depression, and anxiety and improved well-being. Therefore, it can be a feasible strategy to manage workplace-related stress and phycological morbidities.

Experiences of Veteran and Civilian Patients in Exploratory Yoga Sessions for Chronic Pain: A Qualitative Study

ABSTRACT Background Yoga integrates all aspects of self, with biological, mental, intellectual, and spiritual elements. The practice of yoga aligns with the biopsychosocial model of health and, as such, it can be instrumental in pain treatment. Aims The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore perceptions regarding the yoga sessions for chronic pain through thematic content analysis with comparison of gender, veteran or civilian status, and delivery methods. Methods Patients with chronic pain attended a 5-week intensive interdisciplinary chronic pain management program at the Michael G. DeGroote Pain Clinic. Participants were asked to complete six open-ended questions following four weekly 1-h yoga classes, through in-person or virtual delivery. Survey responses were thematically and separately analyzed by reviewers. Results Forty-one (N = 41) participants (56% males, 71% veterans) with an average age of 50.87 (SD 10.10) years provided comments. Nine themes emerged: (1) mind and body are one through yoga practices; (2) meaningful practice of yoga basics is productive for range of motion/movement, tension in joints, and chronic pain; (3) yoga classes provide an enjoyable process of learning; (4) yoga reminds patients of their physical capabilities; (5) routine practices lead to improvements; (6) yoga improved on strategies for chronic pain; (7) yoga can be adapted for each patient; (8) mindset improves to include positive thinking, better focus, and willingness to try new things; and (9) improvements exist for the current yoga programming. Conclusion Findings of the current study were nine qualitative themes that present the experience of patients with chronic pain in the yoga sessions.

The impact of yoga on stress, metabolic parameters, and cognition of Indian adolescents: A cluster randomized controlled trial

BackgroundThis project aimed to assess the impact of yoga on stress, metabolic parameters and cognition (attention & concentration) in adolescents, aged 13–15 years from public and private schools in two cities (Chennai and New Delhi) in India. MethodsThe study recruited 2000 adolescents from 24 schools in a cluster randomized controlled trial design. The yoga group participants underwent 17 yoga sessions, which included: pranayama, basic asanas, meditation and relaxation exercises. Yoga sessions, were held in the school premises once a week. A total of five awareness talks on healthy lifestyle were delivered once a month to the education group. ADOlescence Stress Scale (ADOSS), salivary cortisol, metabolic and clinical parameters and Letter Cancellation Test (LCT) score were measured at baseline and post-intervention (5–6 months). ResultsThe yoga group showed statistically significant differences in the mean ADOSS score, metabolic parameters, salivary cortisol, and LCT scores compared to the education group. In the intention- to- treat analysis, a significant reduction [5.11, 95% CI (4.78, 5.36), p = 0.001] in ADOSS score was seen in the yoga group compared to education. ConclusionImplementation of a 17-week standardized yoga program at the school level significantly decreased stress, improved attention and concentration, metabolic and clinical parameters in Indian adolescents. Trial registrationThis trial was registered at Clinical Trials Registry, India (CTRI/2017/08/009203).