Yoga Intervention Research Articles

Effect of a yoga and naturopathy-based lifestyle intervention with nine-month follow-up on heart rate variability in patients with hypertension: A randomized controlled trial

PurposeHypertension is associated with autonomic nervous system (ANS) dysregulation. Heart rate variability (HRV) monitoring is frequently used as a gauge of the ANS balance. The aim of the present study was to assess the effects of yoga and naturopathy on the autonomic variables in patients with hypertension. Methods262 hypertensive patients were randomly allocated to the study group (SG) or control group (CG) in a randomized controlled trial. For ten days, the SG (n = 131) group got received naturopathic treatments and yoga, whereas the CG (n = 131) group did not. HRV which was examined at the beginning and end of the 10-day intervention period and again after 9 months, served as the study's main endpoint. ResultThere was a significant change in the frequency domain of heart rate variability with a significant increase in High frequency (HF) and a significant decrease in low frequency (LF) and LF/HF (all p < 0.05) were observed after follow-up in both SG and CG, but the magnitude of change was more in SG with a significant difference in LF/HF between group. ConclusionResults of this study suggest that 10 days of integrated yoga and naturopathy intervention produces a shift of vagal activity towards parasympathetic activity. Clinical trial registration numberCTRI/2019/01/016883.

The Therapeutic Potential of Yoga for Alzheimer's Disease: A Critical Review.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder characterized by cognitive decline, memory impairment, and behavioral changes, significantly impacting the quality of life of affected individuals and their caregivers. While pharmacological treatments offer limited relief, nonpharmacological interventions, like yoga, have gained attention for their potential therapeutic benefits. This critical review synthesizes findings from various studies on the feasibility, adherence, physical function, cognitive improvements, inflammatory markers, neuroprotection, and mood and behavioral changes associated with yoga interventions for older adults with AD. Despite these promising results, further research with randomized controlled trials, larger sample sizes, control groups, longitudinal follow-ups, standardized protocols, and diverse populations is necessary to confirm these benefits and understand the long-term effects of yoga on AD progression. This critical review highlights yoga's potential as a valuable nonpharmacological intervention in the holistic management of AD.

Effect of Yoga Therapy on Hypothyroidism: A Systematic Review.

Hypothyroidism (HT) is the most prevalent endocrine disorder, affecting approximately one in 10 out of 35 adults, with a higher prevalence in females and the elderly. This systematic review (SR) aimed to discuss the effects of yoga on markers and comorbid conditions of HT. The SR was registered with the PROSPERO (PROSPERO 2022 CRD42022312990). Google Scholar, PubMed, Cochrane, and EMBASE were searched for the relevant English language interventional studies published from 31 December 1947 to 31 December 2023 by using the keywords 'meditation OR breath regulation OR yoga OR yoga nidra AND hypothyroidism OR hypothyreosis OR underactive thyroid OR low thyroid'. Of the 4078 screened studies, eight eligible studies (three RCTs, two pilot studies, two pre-post trials, and one case study) with 421 HT patients (392 females and 29 males) and three to six-month yoga interventions were included. Two independent review authors extracted study characteristics and synthesised them descriptively. RCTs and NRSIs were assessed for risk-of-bias (RoB) using Cochrane tools RoB2 and ROBINS-1. The findings suggest that yoga effectively improves the thyroid profile, lipid profile, heart rate variability, pulmonary functions, anxiety, depression, and quality of life among HT patients. Yoga may be an inexpensive add-on preventive and therapeutic option for HT. The clinical and methodological heterogeneity among the studies did not allow for meta-analysis (MA). Well-designed MAs are warranted by including rigorous RCTs to draw valid conclusions and defined mechanisms regarding the efficacy of yoga practices/interventions on HT.

Yoga and Mind-Body Interventions for People with Cancer Eases Physical and Emotional Symptoms

Yoga and Mind-Body Interventions for People with Cancer Eases Physical and Emotional Symptoms

Study on the sports biomechanics prediction, sport biofluids and assessment of college students’ mental health status transport based on artificial neural network and expert system

Based on the theories of artificial neural networks and expert systems, this study constructs a model for assessing the sports biomechanics’ mental health of college students using artificial neural networks and expert systems. It assesses the sports biomechanics’ mental health status of college students who had their yoga classes suspended during the COVID-19 pandemic. Meanwhile, A mobile questionnaire was used to collect information on students’ personal circumstances, sport biofluids and yoga exercise routines, as well as data from the Depression Anxiety Stress Scales (DASS-21). This study presents a novel approach to assessing the intersection of sports biomechanics and mental health by employing Artificial Neural Networks (ANNs) and expert systems. Unlike previous research in this domain, this study offers an extensive review of the literature, highlighting both the distinctive contributions of ANNs and expert systems and the existing gaps in current methodologies. Similarly, a univariate analysis method was utilized to quantitatively assess the impact of yoga interventions and other factors on college students’ sports biomechanics and mental health. Building on this analysis, an artificial neural network (ANN) model was developed to predict mental health outcomes and sport biofluid conditions. The model focused on evaluating the significance of various variables, with particular attention to the contribution of yoga exercise routines. In short, this approach aims to enhance the understanding and support for utilizing yoga interventions to improve college students’ mental health within the context of sports biomechanics, especially in the post-pandemic era. The findings should make an important contribution to the field of integrating ANNs with expert systems and sports biomechanics improves mental health prediction accuracy.

Customizing Yoga for Global Diversity: A Comparative Study of Eastern and Western Practices for Effective Integration Into Complementary Healthcare.

This cross-sectional study aimed to examine differences in yoga practices to enhance the validity and comparability of yoga research findings. It addresses the "black-box" approach to yoga interventions by highlighting various delivery components that can impact the validity of outcomes. By moving away from the generalization of yoga outcomes, this study provides deeper insights into yoga practices across culturally diverse populations. These insights are crucial for improving the reliability of outcomes and facilitating the integration of yoga into global complementary healthcare. The study included 2,619 participants, with a balanced representation from India (1,296) and the United States (1,323). The participants were diverse, with 47.5% being yoga masters, gurus, therapists, and experts. The study utilized the 14 subscales of the Essential Properties of Yoga Questionnaire (EPYQ) to assess four factors of yoga practice: region (India/United States), sex (male/female), delivery mode (remote/in-person), and participation status (instructor/practitioner). The EPYQ demonstrated strong internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha = 0.928). The total EPYQ score was higher in India than in the United States. Significant differences (p < 0.05) were observed for the 14 subscales across all four factors: region, sex, delivery mode, and participation status. Notable observations include that, by region, the United States sample scored higher than the Indian sample on the subscales of body awareness and acceptance/compassion (mean differences of -0.06 and -0.03, respectively), while the Indian sample scored higher on the spirituality and social aspects subscales (mean differences of 0.54 and 0.57, respectively). The remote delivery mode scored higher for the subscales of yoga philosophy and health benefits (mean differences of 0.17 and 0.13, respectively), and lower for the subscales of individual attention and active postures (mean differences of -0.17 and -0.04, respectively). By sex, the scores on the subscales of social aspects and yoga philosophy were higher for men than for women (mean differences of -0.26 and -0.24, respectively), whereas women scored higher for the subscales of body awareness and restorative postures (mean differences of 0.19 and 0.17, respectively). By participation status, practitioners showed higher scores for the subscales of physicality and active postures (mean differences of -0.05 and -0.02, respectively), whereas instructors scored higher on the subscales of yoga philosophy and meditation/mindfulness (mean differences of 0.37 and 0.32, respectively). This study emphasizes the importance of recognizing variations in yoga practices and highlights the need for customization to enhance its integration into healthcare. To address the challenges posed by global diversity and practice heterogeneity, the study suggests moving from "black box" evaluations of yoga interventions toward data-driven analysis of macro- and micro-level factors. These insights can guide developers, healthcare providers, and researchers in creating culturally sensitive, user-friendly solutions and inform future cross-cultural research. Further related research will help create robust standards for yoga practices and delivery, applying the same rigor as that applied to conventional healthcare practices.

Yoga Intervention and Inflammatory Homoeostasis in Breast Cancer Patients

Objectives: Yoga, renowned for its ability to maintain physical, mental and spiritual well-being, has recently gained prominence as a supportive therapy during conventional breast cancer (BC) treatment. This paradigm shift reflects a growing trend of people embracing yoga to enhance their overall health and aid in managing BC. The objective of this study was to determine the yoga intervention and inflammatory homoeostasis in newly diagnosed BC patients. Materials and Method: This study recruited 44 newly diagnosed BC patients at stages II, III and IV (without distant metastasis or other inflammatory diseases), all admitted for neoadjuvant chemotherapy followed by surgery. A prospective non-randomised control design was employed. Baseline assessments were conducted before the first chemotherapy cycle, with follow-ups before the 2nd and 3rd chemotherapy cycles, before surgery, and 2 months post-surgery. The outcome was compared with the control group. Results: The study showed significant within-subject effects in the yoga intervention group on serum tumour necrosis factor-alpha, interleukin (IL)-1-beta and IL-6 levels, while no significant changes were observed in the control group. Although between groups did not show statistically significant, the mean values indicated a consistent downregulation of proinflammatory markers over time in the yoga group. Conclusion: Incorporating yoga as a complementary therapy alongside conventional BC treatment significantly improved the health outcomes of BC patients by modulating proinflammatory markers.

The effect of yoga on dyspnea, sleep, and quality of life in patients with bronchiectasis: A randomized controlled trial

Background and purposeBronchiectasis is characterized by chronic cough, acute exacerbations, and excessive sputum production, along with symptoms such as shortness of breath and fatigue, which impair respiratory functions and quality of life. This study aims to investigate the effects of yoga on dyspnea, sleep quality, and overall quality of life in patients with bronchiectasis. Materials and methodsForty-eight participants with bronchiectasis were included in the study. The patients were randomly divided into two groups, the yoga group (n = 24) or control group (no placebo or sham intervention) (n = 24). The yoga group participated in a total of 24 sessions over 8 weeks, with three sessions per week. No intervention was performed on the patients in the control group. The Modified Medical Research Council (mMRC) questionnaire was used to assess patients' dyspnea level, and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and St. George's Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ) were used to assess sleep quality and health-related quality of life, respectively. ResultsIt was observed that the yoga intervention affected the intergroup change in dyspnea severity score over time (p < 0.05) (x̄yoga = 2.64-1.50 = 1.14; x̄control2.24-1.95 = 0.29). The decrease in the mean PSQI score of the yoga practice group (16.41-13.18 = 3.23) was significantly higher compared with the control group (14.90-14.57 = 0.33). Post-practice SGRQ activity scores were significantly different from pre-practice SGRQ activity scores. Similar to the change in SGRQ activity and symptom scores, the impact score also changed significantly over time (x̄yoga12.55-9.09 = 3.46; x̄control12–11.52 = 0.48). ConclusionThe results indicate that yoga may have a positive effect on dyspnea, sleep, and quality of life in patients with bronchiectasis.

The effect of YOCAS©® yoga on cancer-related fatigue and quality of life in older (60+) vs. younger (≤ 59) cancer survivors: Secondary analysis of a nationwide, multicenter, phase 3 randomized controlled trial

IntroductionOlder cancer survivors consistently express the need for interventions to reduce cancer-related fatigue (CRF) and maintain quality of life (QOL). Yoga is a promising treatment to address CRF and QOL. However, research comparing the efficacy of yoga for improving fatigue and QOL in older survivors (60+) vs. younger adult survivors (≤59)is limited. Our objective was to examine the effects of yoga on CRF and QOL in older survivors vs. younger survivors. Materials and MethodsWe conducted a secondary analysis of a nationwide, multicenter, phase 3 randomized controlled trial. For this study, participants who provided evaluable pre- and post-intervention data on the Functional Assessment for Chronic Illness Therapy-Fatigue (FACIT-F) and the Functional Assessment for Cancer Therapy-General (FACT-G) were eligible. The yoga intervention comprises gentle Hatha and Restorative Yoga and includes breathing exercises, physical alignment postures, and mindfulness. ResultsOf the 177 participants included in the study, 30.1 % were aged 60+ and 69.9 % were aged ≤59. More younger participants had breast cancer (82.0 % vs. 59.2 %. p = 0.009), surgery (98.9 % vs. 77.8 %, p < 0.001), and chemotherapy (80.5 % vs. 55.6 %, p = 0.001). There were no differences in the cancer stage (66.1 % stage I or II). There were statistically significant and clinically meaningful within-group improvements from baseline to post-intervention in CRF for participants aged ≤59 and participants aged 60+ (4.0 ± 0.7, p < 0.001 vs. 3.1 ± 1.0, p = 0.003). Both age groups also demonstrated improvements in QOL (3.2 ± 0.8, p < 0.001 vs. 2.1 ± 1.2, p = 0.078), physical (1.6 ± 0.3, p < 0.001 vs. 0.8 ± 0.5, p = 0.084), functional (0.7 ± 0.3, p = 0.048 vs. 1.0 ± 0.5, p = 0.037), and emotional well-being. There were no significant between-group differences between the age groups. Most younger and older participants reported that yoga helped improve their sleep quality (92.8 % vs 88.5 %) and they would recommend it to other survivors (98.2 % vs 90.4 %). DiscussionOlder cancer survivors who undergo gentle Hatha and restorative yoga performed two to three times per week for four weeks at a low to moderate level of intensity have similar improvements in CRF and QOL compared to participants aged ≤59. For older survivors experiencing these toxicities, it is reasonable for clinicians to prescribe yoga.ClinicalTrials.govidentifier: NCT00397930

Vitality and metabolic responses to integrated naturopathy and yogic interventions among metabolic syndrome – A protocol for randomized controlled trial

BackgroundMetabolic Syndrome (MetS) refers to a collection of interrelated physiological, biochemical, clinical, and metabolic variables that significantly raise the risk of type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and all-cause mortality. This trial aims to assess the effect of Naturopathy and Yogic Interventions on Vitality and Metabolic responses among patients with MetS. MethodThis trial is a single Centre Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT) and will be conducted at Nature Cure and Yoga Centre in the Southern part of India. Enrolled subjects with MetS, who fulfilled National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III [NCEP ATP III Criteria], will be randomly allocated at a 1:1 ratio into Intervention and control groups. The Intervention group will receive Intensive Naturopathy and Yoga Intervention whereas the control group will receive a lifestyle advice during the initial consultation. The primary outcome will be measured by Heart Rate Variability (HRV), Blood Pressure Measurement, Biochemical Analysis, Anthropometric Measurement, Vitality Questionnaire, and Framingham Risk Score (FRS) which will be performed at the baseline and after 10 days of intervention and follow up will be taken at the 60th day. DiscussionA larger clinical trial will be possible as a result of this study's contribution to the understanding of the effectiveness of Yogic Interventions and Integrated Naturopathy for MetS and associated risk factors.

Study protocol for a multicentre randomised controlled trial evaluating the efficacy of an online yoga intervention in high-grade glioma patients and their caregivers: the YINOTA-O-trial

IntroductionHigh-grade glioma patients and their caregivers often suffer from distress and a lower quality of life. Results from studies with patients with mixed cancer entities suggest that yoga can be...

Impact of yoga on the cognitive function among desk‐based workers

IntroductionProlonged sitting negatively impacts cognitive functions, such as working memory and inhibitory control. As sedentary behaviour rises in workplaces, interventions like yoga breaks, which combine physical activity and mindfulness, may mitigate these effects. While specific research on yoga breaks is limited, related studies suggest potential cognitive benefits. MethodsThis prospective, single-centre crossover trial took place from September 2022 to January 2023 at the Radiology Lab, KMC Manipal. Participants experienced three sessions: uninterrupted sitting, pranayama breaks, and yoga breaks, each lasting four hours. Executive functions were assessed hourly using computer-based tests (Eriksen’s Flanker Test and N-Back Test). Statistical analyses included repeated measures ANOVA and Friedman’s test. ResultsParticipants, with a mean age of 30.24 years, showed fastest reaction times during the yoga intervention in the Flanker Test, followed by pranayama and sitting. However, accuracy did not significantly differ between groups in both tests.Reaction times decreased significantly from the 0th to the 2nd and 4th hours in the Flanker Test, but not between the 2nd and 4th hours. In the N-Back test, accuracy declined over time for all interventions, without significant group differences. ConclusionYoga and pranayama breaks potentially improve reaction times during prolonged sitting but do not significantly impact accuracy in cognitive tasks. These findings suggest that while activity breaks can enhance certain cognitive functions, further research is needed to optimize interventions for cognitive health in sedentary work environments.

Impact of yoga and naturopathy on stress, anxiety, heart rate variability, and quality of life of a patient with social anxiety disorder

Abstract: A 32-year-old male diagnosed with social anxiety disorder (SAD) visited our hospital with complaints of avoiding social events due to fear of negative judgment, difficulty in conveying thoughts, embarrassment, and overthinking. He also struggled to initiate conversations and experienced agoraphobia, which made him feel anxious in crowded places. He underwent a 23-day comprehensive yoga and naturopathy intervention. Compared to the baseline, the postintervention assessment showed a reduction in Perceived Stress Scale score and Hamilton Anxiety Rating scores and improvement in heart rate variability (HRV) and Short Form (SF)-36 healthy survey. It suggests that yoga and naturopathy might be beneficial in decreasing stress and anxiety and in enhancing HRV and quality of life of people with SAD. However, as this is a single case report, more studies are recommended to validate the findings of this study.

The effect of laughter yoga’s on perceived stress and anxiety levels in nursing students: Randomized controlled trial

BackgroundNursing education is a dynamic process that involves theoretical and applied teaching. The intense stress and anxiety experienced by students in this process negatively affect the learning processes and increase the likelihood of making mistakes. Non-pharmacological techniques have been widely used in recent years in the management of this stress. Laughter yoga is one of the new methods that are starting to be used to reduce stress and anxiety levels. PurposeThis study was conducted to determine the effect of laughter yoga on perceived stress and anxiety levels in nursing students. MethodsThe research is a randomized controlled trial with pre-test-post-test control group. This study was conducted in January-June 2022 at the Faculty of Nursing of a university in eastern Türkiye. The population of the study consisted of all students studying in the first year of the nursing faculty. The sample consisted of 103 students determined by simple random sampling method. Students were assigned to the experimental and control groups by simple randomization method. Students in the experimental group were given laughter yoga for 2 sessions per week (every 3 days, eight sessions in total), and the control group did not have any intervention. We used the “Perceived Stress Scale for Nursing Students” and “Condition Anxiety Scale”. Statistical analysis of the data of the research was performed using the IBM SPSS 22 package program. Statistical methods used to evaluate data: t-test in independent groups was used to compare the mean scores of the experimental and control groups, and paired sample t-test was used for intra-group comparisons. ResultsAfter the laughter yoga intervention, the post-test measurements of the intervention group and the control group showed a significant difference, and there was a significant decrease in perceived stress (p<0.001) and anxiety scores (p<0.001) before and after the laughter yoga intervention compared to the control group. ConclusionsLaughter yoga was found to be effective in reducing the levels of perceived stress and anxiety students perceived. Therefore, laughter yoga can be used as one of the effective strategies in reducing students' nursing education stresses.

Hatha yoga reduces momentary stress but does not impact diurnal profiles of salivary cortisol and alpha-amylase: A randomized controlled trial

Does the practice of yoga impact stress? Various studies have suggested that yoga may reduce both self-reported stress and stress biomarkers, but the evidence for such claims remains inconclusive, especially for yoga styles with a focus on physical postures. In a randomized controlled trial with 98 participants, we therefore examined whether an eight-week Hatha yoga intervention (60 min, 3×/week or more) led to reduced levels of diurnal salivary cortisol (sCort), salivary alpha-amylase (sAA), and subjective momentary stress as compared to a waitlist control group. To ensure the concomitant assessment of self-report and biological measures in an ecologically valid setting, and to capture the diurnal profile of cortisol and alpha-amylase, we employed an ecological momentary assessment approach. Five times per day, participants reported their momentary stress levels on a visual analogue scale and collected saliva samples for the assessment of salivary biomarkers. The intervention led to a significant reduction of subjective momentary stress but there was no change in diurnal sCort or sAA levels. There are several potential explanations for these findings: The intervention may have helped participants to cope better with stress while leaving diurnal levels of stress biomarkers unaffected, or the change may at least not have been reflected in sCort and sAA. Alternatively, there may have been a self-report bias, insofar as a favorable disposition towards yoga may have led participants to report reductions in stress in order to indicate positive effects of the intervention. Our findings contribute to a better understanding of the effects of distinct yoga interventions, demonstrating their potential to serve as low-risk stress relief tools.

The Impact of Therapeutic Viniyoga on State Change

While many studies have discussed the effectiveness of interventions using different yoga techniques and teachings with various populations, there has been less research on the effectiveness of yoga therapy. Viniyoga therapists utilize the principles of Viniyoga, a type of yoga developed by Krishnamacharya, to provide therapeutic yogic interventions to individual clients in order to improve functioning and relieve suffering. This qualitative study conducted interviews with fourteen Viniyoga trained yoga therapists to understand the impact of Viniyoga therapy on state change. State change is defined as either a physical or psychological change that improved well-being, ameliorated suffering, or increased insight for the client. The researchers used an in-depth semi-structured interview while utilizing open-ended questioning. A definition of Viniyoga Therapy was developed, and distinctions were made between yoga therapists and yoga teachers. Subjects interviewed discussed the results of their interventions using the 5-dimensional pañcamaya model, which considers a client’s structure, physiology, mind, personality, and emotions. Viniyoga therapists interviewed drew from their own observations, as well as clients’ self-reported data. Results were analyzed using NVivo software and based on Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis principles. Five important themes emerged: 1) Viniyoga empowers clients to participate in their own process of state change by training their self-observation skills and providing tools for influencing their state 2) Intentionally engineered experiences are the tools of Viniyoga&lt;strong&gt; &lt;/strong&gt;3) Viniyoga takes a highly individualized approach to supporting state change 4) The relationship between the client and the Viniyoga therapist itself promotes state change, and is very important to the state change process 5) State change is foundational to the healing process of Viniyoga. The study concluded that Viniyoga therapy can be helpful in creating state change and alleviating distress related to a wide range of physical and psychological conditions. Implications for yoga therapy as an integrative and complementary health approach are discussed.

Feasibility of a Virtual Adaptation of a Yoga Intervention for Veterans with Chronic Pain and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder.

Purpose/Objective: This study assessed the feasibility and acceptability of a yoga intervention for veterans with comorbid posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and chronic pain (CP) that was adapted for virtual implementation. Research Method/Design: This pilot feasibility study at a large, mid-Atlantic Veteran's Affairs (VA) Medical Center with veterans with both PTSD and CP examined the adaptation of an eight-session virtual yoga group intervention. Participants (n = 18, 11 completers) were primarily male (82.4%), African American (76.5%), with no prior yoga experience (70.6%). A measure of client satisfaction was administered at completion and attendance rates were examined. Self-reported symptom measures were also assessed. Results: There were no instances of injuries or other adverse effects related to the study. This study yielded a 39% attrition rate, consistent with in-person yoga interventions. Mean number of sessions attended was 5.53 (SD = 1.73). Participants rated overall satisfaction as high (M = 28.09; SD = 3.96; potential range 8-32). Conclusions/Implications: This study provides initial data on the acceptability of a virtual yoga intervention for veterans with comorbid PTSD and CP, with attrition and satisfaction rates in line with prior in-person iterations. Implications of virtual adaption and considerations for future efforts will be discussed. This study was not preregistered but has been registered subsequently on ClinicalTrials.gov [CTR #: NCT06123065].

Effects of Yoga in the Care of Patients With Heart Failure: A Systematic Literature Review.

This review delves into the potential benefits of integrating yoga into the care of patients with heart failure. A systematic literature review was undertaken through electronic searches of indexed databases. Quality assessment utilized the Cochrane risk-of-bias tool, and data on population characteristics, interventions, and clinical, biochemical, and functional outcomes were meticulously extracted. Six randomized trials, encompassing 296 individuals with a left ventricular ejection fraction between 30 and 50%, and functionally classified per the New York Heart Association as I, II, or III, were included. Despite limited published experimental research, yoga demonstrates promising effectiveness in enhancing outcomes such as quality of life, functional capacity, and clinical markers. Notably, safety and adherence outcomes remain unexplored. Future studies should prioritize a representative sample size, methodological rigor, and adherence to established yoga intervention guidelines in randomized clinical trials, ensuring comprehensive evaluation across short-, medium-, and long-term perspectives.

Impact of yoga-based interventions on cognitive and autonomic functions in major depressive disorder population.

Cognitive and autonomic dysfunction is increasingly being recognized as an important clinical dimension in major depressive disorder. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of a combined approach of yoga and diet intervention on cognitive and autonomic functions in individuals with major depressive disorders. This experimental observational study was conducted at RUHS College of Medical Sciences and Associated Hospitals, Jaipur, on the major depressive disorder population of either sex cognitive function (mini-mental score, Montreal cognitive protocol A and B, P300 latency and amplitude) and autonomic function parameters (frequency and time domain) were recorded at baseline and after three months of a combined approach of yoga and diet intervention. This study compared cognitive and autonomic function parameters at baseline and after three months of yoga and diet intervention in a major depressive disorder population. Analysis revealed a significant decrease in body mass index (<0.05), systolic blood pressure (<0.001), Hamilton rating scale for depression (<0.001), P300 latency (<0.001), standard deviation of NN interval (SDNN) (<0.001), and mean heart rate (<0.001), whereas there was a significant increase in mini-mental score (<0.001), Montreal cognitive protocol A and B (<0.001), high frequency (HF) (<0.001), root mean square standard deviation (RMSSD) (<0.001), and PNN50 (<0.001) after a combined approach of yoga and diet in the study group as compared to control group participants. Yoga and diet combined may be an effective adjunct therapy for improving brain health and mental performance, lowering the risk of depression by affecting the neurotransmitter system and raising vagal tone which contributes to learning and memory.

Inflammatory biomarker findings from a randomized controlled trial of heated yoga for depression

BackgroundBoth heated and non-heated yoga have demonstrated antidepressant effects in randomized controlled trials (RCTs), with a greater number of studies evaluating non-heated yoga. Both heated and non-heated yoga may exert antidepressant effects in part by reducing inflammation. We report the first RCT evaluating the impact of heated yoga on inflammatory biomarkers in participants with moderate-to-severe depression. MethodsAdults (N = 80) were randomized to either a heated yoga or a waitlist group. The heated yoga group attended at least two community heated yoga classes per week for 8 weeks. The waitlist group completed an initial 8-week waitlist period, followed by the same heated yoga intervention. Blood samples were collected at baseline, at 8 weeks, and after the waitlist group completed the heated yoga intervention. Serum levels of inflammatory biomarkers (IFNγ, IL-1α, IL-1β, IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, IL-12p70, and TNF-α) were measured. Linear mixed models were used to explore three aims: 1) changes in inflammatory biomarker levels between treatment groups at the primary 8-week endpoint; 2) changes in inflammatory biomarkers from baseline to study endpoint for those in the waitlist phase of the waitlist group and those in the yoga phase of the waitlist group; and 3) the interaction between baseline inflammatory biomarkers and change in depression severity after 8-weeks of heated yoga vs. waitlist control. ResultsForty-five participants (n = 17 for the heated yoga group and n = 28 for the waitlist group) had inflammatory biomarker data available for analyses. Significant differences in inflammatory biomarker levels were not found between groups at the 8-week endpoint (Aim 1). Similarly, changes in inflammatory biomarkers from baseline to study endpoint did not differ for those in the waitlist phase of the waitlist group and those in the yoga phase of the waitlist group (Aim 2). Lastly, the interaction between baseline inflammatory biomarkers and change in depression severity after 8-weeks of heated yoga vs. waitlist control was not significant (Aim 3). ConclusionHeated yoga showed no significant reduction in inflammatory biomarker levels. Possible reasons include a small sample size, insufficient heated yoga dosage, timing of sampling, not targeting individuals with higher baseline inflammatory biomarker levels, or peripheral inflammatory biomarkers not influencing heated yoga’s antidepressant effects. Further research is needed to clarify the antidepressant mechanisms of heated yoga.