Yoga is beneficial for mental, physical stress and noncommunicable diseases (NCDs). Due to long and hectic working hours, nursing officers experience stress and NCDs. Awareness of yoga helps adopt yoga practice and healthy lifestyle. Our objective was to assess the knowledge, attitude, and beliefs regarding yoga and examine their association with its practice among nursing officers. This was a cross-sectional analysis of baseline data of an intervention study on in-service nursing officers employed at workplace for at least 1 year. Those who were under treatment for any psychiatric disorder and any condition preventing practice yoga were excluded. After taking informed written consent, a pretested, semi-structured questionnaire was administered. Data were extracted in Microsoft Excel and analyzed by statistical software STATA V12. A total of 105 participants completed the questionnaire, 78% were female, and the mean age was 33 years. Majority (79.0%) of them were aware of yoga as a way of healthy life and beneficial practice. A proportion of ever practiced participants were 53.3% and currently practicing were 12.4%. The level of knowledge, attitude, and belief score was positively correlated among themselves. The belief score had a significant association with current practice of yoga (odds ratio of 1.9, 95% confidence interval: 1.4-2.7, P < 0.001). Knowledge, attitude, and belief were higher among most of the participants though the level of practice was low. The score of knowledge, attitude, and belief was higher among those who had a history of either current or past practice. Belief score was significantly associated with current yoga practice. A larger study is recommended at workplace setting with further exploration.
Yoga effectively supports physical, emotional, and mental well-being and represents a powerful integrated holistic healthcare practice to support prevention, healing, and thriving for a variety of health and mental health conditions. Currently, no clear credentialing pathway exists for yoga services that are delivered in health care. This study explores interest among yoga professionals in providing yoga in health care, as well as their perceptions about the need for and likelihood of enrolling in training programs leading to specialized credentials for yoga interventions in healthcare settings. A descriptive survey was offered to US yoga professionals about perceptions of yoga's importance in health care and credentialing needs for providers. Through direct invitations, social media, and snowball sampling, 1877 individuals responded to the survey, with sample composition being commensurate with current US yoga practitioner demographics. Respondents strongly agreed that yoga has an important role in health care, showed interest in providing such care, and expressed confusion about currently available preparation and credentialing for providing such yoga services. They strongly endorsed the need for specialized yoga credentials to provide yoga services in health care, with expressed strong likelihood to seek out such credentialing for themselves. Yoga has emerged as invaluable in supporting physical and mental health and well-being. However, to become a recognized, reimbursable healthcare practice, the yoga profession needs to define itself through educational standards and credentialing policies. Findings suggest that yoga communities and credentialing organizations need to come together to support yoga's healthcare integration by clarifying the scope of practice, educational pathways, and credentialing for yoga services in health care and community health settings.
Fibromyalgia (FM) is an idiopathic progressive musculoskeletal pain syndrome affecting 2%-8% of the global population, predominantly females. Symptoms such as morning stiffness, brain fogging, and sleep disturbances are also common in the FM patients. There is no permanent cure of the disease except for temporary symptomatic relief by few FDA-approved medications. The aim of the current study was to investigate the effect of 4 weeks of regular and supervised medical yoga therapy (MYT) on pain status, lumbar flexion, and corticomotor excitability (CME) in FM patients. It is an assessor-blinded, randomized controlled trial where the pain was assessed both subjectively and objectively; lumbar flexibility and CME of both male and female FM patients of yoga and waitlisted group were also assessed and compared before and after 4 weeks of MYT and same course of standard care therapy. We have used pressure modality of quantitative sensory testing for objective assessment of pain. Corticomotor parameters were assessed using transcranial magnetic stimulation. Block randomization and opaque concealed envelope method was performed for randomizing and allocating patients in the yoga and waitlisted groups. Parametric tests were applied for the inter-and intragroup comparisons. Demographic and clinical parameters of FM patients of both the arms were comparable at baseline (age: waitlisted group = 36.76 ± 9.20; yoga group = 35.71 ± 8.46; P > 0.05). Pain profile of the patient showed significant improvement, and tender point counts were also found to be reduced in the patients administered with MYT. In the waitlisted group, no significant changes were noted. A significant increase in lumbar flexion was reported bilaterally only after MYT. Former stayed unaltered in the waitlisted group. Moreover, improvements in some CME parameters of FM patients of the yoga group were also recorded. Such cortical changes were not marked in the waitlisted group. MYT can alleviate pain, improve flexibility, and alter CME in FM patients more than the standard therapy. MYT can be adopted in day-to-day lifestyle for symptomatic relief by FM patients.
Rajayoga meditation is form of meditation that is offered by Rajayoga Education and Research Foundation of Brahma Kumaris World Spiritual University. It is free of ritual and mantras and can be performed anywhere and anytime. The Rajayoga meditation practice can have beneficial effects on modulating anxiety and cortisol levels in breast cancer patients undergoing surgery. To evaluate the impact of Rajayoga meditation on preoperative and postoperative anxiety, hemodynamic parameters, and serum cortisol levels in patients undergoing modified radical mastectomy (MRM). The study was randomized controlled trial carried out in a tertiary care center. Sixty female patients of the American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status II, aged 30-70 years, scheduled to undergo elective MRM under general anesthesia were included. The patients were randomized into two groups namely, Group R, Rajayoga group (n = 30) and Group C, Control group (n = 30) who did not receive any intervention. Anxiety was measured using State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI-S) before the start of Rajayoga training and on second postoperative day. Serum cortisol, hemodynamic parameters (heart rate, systolic, and diastolic blood pressure) and respiratory rate were also noted before initiating Rajayoga meditation and on second postoperative day. In this study, it was observed that anxiety levels, serum cortisol, and hemodynamic parameters of the patients before the surgery were comparable between the two groups. However, on second postoperative day, patients who underwent Rajayoga meditation had significantly reduced anxiety, heart rate, blood pressure, respiratory rate, and serum cortisol levels. These results suggest that Rajayoga meditation may be an effective nonpharmacological intervention for stress reduction and physiological stabilization in surgical patients. Rajayoga meditation significantly reduces anxiety, heart rate, blood pressure, respiratory rate, and serum cortisol levels in patients undergoing MRM.
Nurses often experience significant physical and psychological stress, leading to various individual, familial, social, and organizational issues that predispose them to burnout. Burnout has detrimental effects on the health and well-being of nurses. This systematic review and meta-analysis estimates the effectiveness of yoga on burnout among nurses. Four electronic databases - PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature were systematically searched for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that evaluated the effect of yoga on burnout among nurses. The preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses guidelines were utilized. A total of 88 studies were screened, and 3 RCTs were retained for the meta-analysis. The standardized mean differences (SMDs) were estimated using a random and fixed-effect model with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). There was a significant effect of yoga on three components of burnout: emotional exhaustion (SMD -0.71; 95% CI -1.27--0.15 [P < 0.01]), depersonalization (SMD -0.59; 95% CI -0.88- -0.30 [P < 0.01]), and personal achievement (SMD 0.76; 95% CI 0.26-1.25 [P < 0.01]). Moreover, the research studies showed high heterogeneity (I 2 = 0%-72%), and of the 3 trials, 2 were considered to be at low risk based on the Cochrane risk of bias 2 tool. Therefore, yoga is an effective and economical method that nurses can use to reduce burnout and improve the quality of care provided to patients. Integration of yoga-based practices into the healthcare routine has promising benefits, but more substantial findings are essential for developing evidence-based guidelines (International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews registration: CRD42024591915).
Breast cancer is the most diagnosed cancer among women, with survivors often experiencing long-term symptoms such as cancer-related fatigue, which significantly impacts quality of life. Yoga has demonstrated potential in alleviating cancer-related fatigue and enhancing overall health and quality of life. Digital interventions are increasingly recognized as a feasible approach to cancer rehabilitation. However, digitally distributed home-based yoga interventions in breast cancer rehabilitation remain underexplored. More research in this area is essential to achieve a deeper understanding of participants' experiences. This study aims to explore women's experiences of participating in a digitally distributed, home-based yoga intervention in breast cancer rehabilitation. This qualitative study used an inductive content analysis approach. Semistructured interviews were conducted with 20 women who had undergone breast cancer surgery and participated in a 12-week digitally distributed, home-based yoga intervention as part of the randomized controlled multicenter trial Digital Yoga Intervention in Cancer Rehabilitation (DigiYoga CaRe). The intervention consisted of 2 home-based yoga sessions each week: 1 live-streamed group class led by an experienced yoga instructor and 1 prerecorded self-paced practice video. Interviews were conducted within 1 month of completing the intervention, using a semistructured guide with 12 open-ended questions covering physical and mental experiences, daily life impacts, and reflections on the digital format (live-streamed and prerecorded video). The interview transcripts were analyzed using conventional content analysis to identify subcategories and categories, providing insights into participants' experiences. The interviewees reported that the home-based yoga intervention helped them to actively manage their illness and treatment-related side effects, promoting mental recovery and relaxation, physical function and activity, and self-care practice and routines. They commented that it fostered resilience and empowerment through increased body awareness and by regaining trust in their bodies, self-confidence, and hope for recovery. It was described as a shift in focus toward progress and well-being, equipping them with new coping strategies for their daily lives. They perceived the telerehabilitation format as a safe and user-friendly rehabilitation option, providing support through manageable digital tools, and with minor technical issues that were subsequently resolved. They described feeling safe and supported in the digital environment, fostering a sense of community and individual focus. The accessibility of home-based participation facilitated adherence, making the intervention a valuable and inclusive rehabilitation option for breast cancer survivors, particularly for those experiencing fatigue, time constraints, or challenges related to traveling. The digitally distributed home-based yoga intervention was experienced as an effective and accessible tool for breast cancer rehabilitation, promoting overall well-being. For these participants, it fostered resilience, empowerment, and a sense of community; this highlights its potential as a user-friendly rehabilitation option that could be integrated into cancer care to support recovery and address various patient needs. ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04812652; https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT04812652. RR2-10.1136/bmjopen-2022-065939.
Health professional trainees need wellness skills. Yoga has been proven to improve wellness and decrease stress in health professionals. We aim to assess whether educating health profession students about yoga leads to integrating yoga into their lives for personal wellness. A health promotion curriculum focused on ten evidence-based interventions (including yoga) was delivered to health profession students (medical, nursing, physical therapy, and behavioral health). Participants completed unidentified electronic surveys immediately after, 3 and 6 months later. Data are presented using descriptive statistics, themes, and representative quotes. Five hundred and fifty-two students completed the curriculum, from which 150 were interested in yoga, reviewed evidence about the effectiveness of yoga, and practiced yoga for a week. The interested students noted that integrating yoga was achievable, realistic, and relevant. After having team discussions about all of the interventions, 12.5%, 10%, and 11% of the respondents reported practicing yoga immediately after, 3 and 6 months after, respectively. This curriculum was an effective intervention for health professions trainees to develop yoga wellness skills.
Attention is fundamental to optimal performance in precision sports such as archery. While yoga has consistently been linked to cognitive enhancements, no study has explored its effects on attentional processes in archers. This study evaluated the impact of an 8-week yoga intervention on the Attention Network Test (ANT) outcomes, focusing on the alerting, orienting, and conflict control networks in competitive archers. This trial enrolled 92 state-level competitive archers aged 12-20 years, randomized into yoga and control groups. The yoga group participated in a 60-min validated yoga module comprising loosening exercises, breathing techniques, asanas, pranayamas, kriyas, meditation, and relaxation, conducted thrice weekly for 8 weeks. The controls continued routine training. The ANT was administered at baseline and post-intervention. Primary outcomes included the efficiencies of the alerting, orienting, and conflict control networks. Secondary outcomes comprised overall accuracy, overall reaction time (RT), and RTs across four cue and three flanker types. Paired t-tests and Wilcoxon signed-rank tests assessed within-group differences, while repeated measures ANOVA examined between-group differences. Eighty-three participants completed the study (yoga: 43, control: 39). The yoga group exhibited significant improvements in the orienting network (MD = 18.68 [11.69, 25.67], P < 0.001, ηp 2 = 0.261), conflict control network (MD =-36.72 [-44.81, -28.62], P < 0.001, ηp 2 = 0.505), overall accuracy, RTs across all cue types, and the incongruent flanker condition compared to controls. Within-group differences showed significant improvements in all outcome measures for the yoga group, while the control group exhibited improvements only in certain RTs. The 8-week yoga intervention significantly enhanced the orienting and conflict control networks, highlighting the potential of yoga in improving attention in state-level competitive archers. These preliminary findings suggest that yoga is an effective intervention for managing cognitive and emotional distractions during competitions. Future research should examine these effects in elite archers and explore the mediating role of these networks in the relationship between yoga and archery performance.
Premature ejaculation (PME) is one of the most common male sexual disorders, affecting 20-30% of men globally. While various treatments exist, including pharmacological interventions, there is growing interest in yoga as a non-pharmacological approach. This systematic review and meta-analyse evaluated the effectiveness of yoga interventions for premature ejaculation. A systematic search was conducted across PubMed/Medline, EMBASE, Scopus, Google Scholar, and Web of Science databases from 1990 to January 2025. Studies comparing yoga interventions for PME were included, and data was analysed using random effects model. Five studies met inclusion criteria, with three providing data suitable for meta-analysis. The meta-analysis showed a significant positive effect of yoga interventions (SMD = 1.74, 95% CI: 1.27-2.22), though with high heterogeneity (I² = 90.7%). One study comparing yoga with fluoxetine showed greater IELT improvement in the yoga group (79.6 vs 34.2 seconds). Studies comparing yoga with non-pharmacological interventions also demonstrated favourable outcomes for yoga. Importantly, no significant adverse effects were reported in yoga groups, while pharmacological interventions showed side effects in up to 46.4% of participants. Yoga appears to be a promising intervention for PME, potentially working through stress reduction, autonomic nervous system modulation, and pelvic floor strengthening. However, the evidence is limited by small sample sizes and methodological heterogeneity. Larger, well-designed randomized controlled trials are needed to establish yoga's efficacy as a standard treatment option for PME.
Approximately 40% of women stop endocrine therapy for hormone-receptor-positive breast cancer within the first 5 years of prescribed treatment because of side effects. Musculoskeletal complaints are among the most frequently reported side effects. The Cancer Of the BReast Asanas (COBRA) study examines the effect of an 18-week yoga programme on endocrine therapy-associated musculoskeletal complaints in women with breast cancer. In total, 140 women will be randomised in a 1:1 ratio to the intervention or waitlist control group. The intervention programme consists of two times a week 1-hour supervised Hatha or (easy) Vinyasa yoga classes at a yoga or sports centre for 18 weeks and once per week a half-hour at home using videos. The waitlist control group is asked to maintain their habitual lifestyle during the first 18 weeks and will participate in a similar yoga programme to the intervention group for the following 18 weeks. The control group yoga programme is offered live-remote. The primary outcome (musculoskeletal complaints) is assessed with the Brief Pain Inventory questionnaire at baseline and 18 weeks (primary comparison) and additionally at 36 weeks. Secondary outcomes include lower and upper extremity joint complaints, menopausal symptoms, fatigue, sleep, quality of life, anxiety and depression, cognitive complaints and habitual physical activity (all patient-reported), vital signs and anthropometrics, physical fitness, blood biomarkers, medication use, safety data and patient and teacher experiences. At baseline and 18 weeks, cognitive complaints are also assessed with an online neuropsychological test battery. The COBRA study was approved by the Medical Ethical Committee of the University Medical Center Utrecht. The study started on 8 October 2024, and 65 participants have been included (20 January 2026). Results will be submitted to an international peer-reviewed journal. NCT06480513.
Approximately 80% of individuals with Parkinson disease (PD) experience impaired balance and mobility, contributing to freezing of gait, an increased risk of falls, and reduced health-related quality of life. Mind-body interventions, such as mindfulness and yoga, may address both motor and nonmotor symptoms by enhancing mind-body coordination and reducing stress, thereby offering a scalable approach to balance rehabilitation in PD. This study aims to evaluate the effects and acceptability of Mindfulness Yoga-Practice Awareness through Cognitive-Based Exercise (MY-PACE), a mobile health-delivered, home-based intervention, on balance, mobility, and psychological well-being in individuals with PD and balance impairment. This assessor-blinded, 2-arm, randomized waitlist-controlled trial enrolled 132 individuals with PD and balance impairment, randomized to either the MY-PACE group (n=66, 50%) or the control group receiving routine outpatient care (n=66, 50%). The MY-PACE group will complete a 12-week, Zoom-delivered program incorporating mindfulness, yoga, and mindful walking practices. The control group will receive the intervention after study completion. The primary outcome is functional balance, as measured by the Berg Balance Scale. Secondary outcomes include functional mobility, gait patterns, balance confidence, freezing of gait severity, motor symptoms, anxiety and depressive symptoms, cognitive function, mindfulness, health-related quality of life, and fall incidence. Assessments will occur at baseline, 3 months (T1), and 6 months (T2). Data will be analyzed using linear mixed-effects models under the intention-to-treat principle. Ethics approval was obtained on September 18, 2019. A preliminary feasibility study with 10 participants was conducted between May and June 2020. The full randomized controlled trial was funded in January 2022 by the Early Career Scheme 2021-2022 of the Research Grants Council, Hong Kong. The trial was prospectively registered on December 10, 2021. Recruitment began in April 2022. As of manuscript submission, 132 participants have been enrolled. Data analysis has not yet commenced. The study protocol and statistical analysis plan follow the original prespecified design. The results are expected to be published in 2026. This trial will evaluate a telehealth-delivered mindful yoga intervention for improving balance and mobility in individuals with PD. By integrating cognitive-based mindful awareness and motor training, MY-PACE targets both motor and nonmotor contributors to balance impairment. If effective, it may represent a scalable intervention for individuals with PD and other populations with mobility limitations. Chinese Clinical Trial Registry ChiCTR2100054145; https://tinyurl.com/4j8f8zvn. DERR1-10.2196/97781.
The COVID-19 pandemic posed significant mental and physical challenges for healthcare professionals (HCPs), leading to increased stress and potential immune dysregulation. Yoga practice, has been suggested to enhance immunity and alleviate stress. This pilot study aimed to assess the impact of yoga intervention on immune markers, stress levels, and quality of life among HCPs actively working during the pandemic. A single-center, open label randomized controlled pilot study was conducted at tertiary care centre, with 36 participants. Physicians were randomly assigned to either a yoga intervention group (n=18) or a control group (n=18). The intervention included guided online yoga sessions for 12 weeks. Immunological markers (IL-6, IL-12, CRP, INF-gamma, TNF-alpha) were measured using ELISA at baseline and post-intervention. Stress levels and quality of life were assessed using the WHO-BREF questionnaire. Statistical analysis was performed Microsoft excel M365 software, employing t-tests. Significant improvements were observed in immune markers, particularly a reduction in IL-12 (p=0.0165) and CRP (p=0.001), alongside a marked increase in INF-gamma (p=0.001) in the yoga group. BMI significantly improved (p=0.0194), though stress levels and most quality-of-life domains remained unchanged, except for social relationships (p=0.0279). Correlation analysis suggested a strong relationship between BMI reduction and immune modulation. Yoga intervention demonstrated potential benefits in modulating immunological markers and improving BMI among physicians. While stress reduction was not significant, enhanced social relationships and immune function suggest yoga as a complementary approach for HCPs well-being during high-stress periods. Further large-scale studies are recommended to validate these findings.
Emotional intelligence (EI) is defined as the ability of a person to understand and respond to one's own and others' emotions and use this ability to guide one's thoughts and actions. Stress is defined as a condition or feeling experienced when a person perceives that demands exceed the personal and social resources the individual is able to mobilize. The aim of the study was to assess the level of EI and perceived stress before and after yoga training among medical students in Puducherry. A nonrandomized interventional trial was conducted at the School of Yoga Therapy, Sri Balaji Vidyapeeth, Puducherry, involving 30 healthcare students (22 female and 8 male), with a mean age of 21.63 ± 1.95. Approved by the institutional ethics committee, the 6-week yoga program was held at Patanjali Yogashala on weekdays. EI and perceived stress were measured pre- and post-intervention using validated questionnaires. The mean age of participants was 21.63 ± 1.95 years, with 73.3% females and 26.7% males. Initially, perceived stress and EI had a weak negative correlation (r = -0.24), which shifted to a weak positive correlation (r = 0.22) postyoga intervention. A significant reduction in perceived stress was noticed before and after yoga intervention. In addition, improvements in "trustworthiness" and "achievement" were significant with P = 0.049 and 0.032, respectively. This interventional trial with yoga therapy has shown a reduction in perceived stress levels and an increase in certain components of EI among medical college students in Puducherry. This study highlights the supremacy of Yoga therapy in achieving mental and psychosocial well-being.
The evidence from the clinical studies on the influence of yoga and meditation on gut microbiota in humans has been summarized in this systematic review. Searches were conducted until November 2023 in four electronic databases: SCOPUS, PubMed, Google Scholar, and Cochrane Controlled Registry of Trials (CENTRAL) to find relevant studies published in English. Studies on the influence of yoga and meditation on gut microbiome in human participants of any age or gender were included in the systematic review. The outcomes were modulations in the composition and function of gut microbiota and their metabolite levels. Due to the varied approaches used in the study designs and outcome measures of the included studies, a narrative synthesis was carried out. The database search resulted in 247 titles and abstracts, out of which four articles were included for qualitative synthesis. There was one nonrandomized controlled study and three observational studies. The studies were conducted on a healthy population (n = 440). The participants were followers of a vegan or vegetarian diet. The control group subjects were nonmeditators, i.e., who never received any meditation training. All the reviewed studies have shown a favorable change in the composition and function of gut microbiota and their metabolites with meditation practice when compared to controls. Yoga and meditation improved the composition and function of gut microbiota. However, all the subjects were following a vegetarian/vegan diet, so the beneficial changes demonstrated in the gut microbiota may be attributed to the combined effects of meditation and a vegetarian/vegan diet.
The adolescent behavioral health crisis has intensified pressures to foster both physical health and mental well-being, particularly in the post-COVID-19. Yoga, as a holistic approach, has been integrated into existing curricula and positive behavioral interventions. This review examines the implementation and impact of yoga interventions in the U.S., with a focus on adolescent students in secondary schools, to identify effective strategies and provide recommendations to ensure the sustainable integration of yoga into school-based behavioral health initiatives. The articles were systematically searched from EBSCOhost, PubMed, and Web of Science databases. Inclusion criteria were: yoga component with physical elements, implemented in U.S. secondary schools as part of PE curricular or school interventions, and published in English in peer-reviewed journals. This review synthesizes findings from 17 studies on yoga interventions, highlighting notable benefits across physical and psychosocial outcomes. While most interventions are integrated into the school day, some alterations, including the afterschool and virtual formats, have emerged, providing insight into accessibility to school health promotion. The review suggests that ongoing research to refine intervention designs, address implementation barriers, and expand the reach of yoga interventions to racially and ethnically diverse populations is warranted. Overall, this review advocates for integrating yoga into health promotion initiatives, which provide adolescents with practical tools to enhance their well-being in the educational setting.
Yoga, an ancient discipline originating in India, primarily considered a spiritual practice, has now evolved into a recognized therapeutic modality addressing various health conditions, including chronic diseases, mental health disorders, and stress-related ailments. Despite its proven benefits and growing evidence base, the integration of yoga therapy into mainstream healthcare in India faces significant barriers. Key challenges include the perception of yoga as a spiritual or wellness practice rather than a clinical treatment, cost concerns limiting access for lower-income populations, and a lack of standardization in training, certification, and therapeutic protocols. Facilitators, however, indicate promising opportunities for broader acceptance. These include increasing public interest, government initiatives by bodies like the Ministry of AYUSH, and a growing body of research validating yoga's therapeutic efficacy. Efforts to establish regulatory frameworks and standardized guidelines are gaining momentum, fostering the credibility and integration of yoga therapy into healthcare systems. This article explores these barriers and facilitators influencing the utilization of yoga therapy in India and proposes strategies to enhance its adoption. By addressing misconceptions, improving accessibility of yoga healthcare professionals, efforts for standardization and regularization of education, and increasing collaboration between yoga practitioners and medical professionals, yoga therapy has the potential to become a cornerstone of holistic healthcare in India.
Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) remains a serious challenge to public health. Stress is a primary issue affecting HIV care because it is highly prevalent among people living with HIV and negatively affects quality of life in this population. This study was designed to examine the efficacy of a yoga intervention in reducing stress and enhancing coping self-efficacy in people with HIV. A parallel-group, randomized controlled trial with single blinding and repeated measures was used. The intervention group engaged at home in eight biweekly online Hatha yoga classes of 120 min (two 60-min sessions) in length. The effects were assessed at baseline, at the end of the 2-month intervention, and at 1 month after the end of the intervention. Sixty-six people were enrolled as participants, five of whom were lost to follow-up at the second assessment. Sixty-one participants took part in the third assessment. After practicing yoga for 8 weeks, the intervention group had lower mean stress scores and higher mean coping self-efficacy scores than the control group. The yoga intervention applied in this study was shown to effectively reduce perceived stress and strengthen coping self-efficacy in patients with HIV. This study adds evidence gathered in a new social context (Bali, Indonesia) to existing research showing practicing yoga to be effective in reducing stress in patients with HIV. Yoga is a promising complementary intervention that may be offered to patients with HIV suffering from stress.
Medically unexplained physical symptoms (MUPS) involve persistent symptoms such as pain, fatigue, and gastrointestinal issues without a clear medical cause, often linked to psychological factors. Yoga has been promising in managing psychiatric comorbidities and alleviating MUPS. However, a validated yoga module specifically for MUPS is lacking. This study aims to develop, validate, and assess the feasibility of a yoga module tailored for MUPS patients. A comprehensive review of traditional and contemporary literature informed the development of a yoga module designed to address pain, fatigue, gastrointestinal issues, and associated psychological distress. The initial module, consisting of 47 practices, was validated by 32 yoga experts using the content validity index (CVI) and content validity ratio (CVR) based on Lawshe's formula. The final module was tested for feasibility on 12 MUPS patients, evaluating symptom severity using the Patient Health Questionnaire-15 at baseline and after 1 month of intervention. The final module, incorporating 34 practices with CVR >0.37 and expert-recommended modifications, including Sheetali Pranayama, demonstrated a CVI of 0.59. Feasibility testing revealed a significant reduction in symptom severity in patients after 1 month of practice. The developed yoga module for MUPS was found to be safe, feasible, and effective in reducing symptom severity. However, given the pilot nature of this study and the small sample size, further randomized controlled trials are needed to confirm the module's efficacy.
To review the role of Yoga in improving the psychological and physical aspects of caregivers of patients with chronic conditions such as neurological disabilities and cancer. A systematic search was conducted on PubMed, ScienceDirect, and Cochrane according to the PRISMA guidelines. Randomized controlled trials exploring the role of Yoga for caregivers were included; case series, case reports, conference presentations, and non-English literature were excluded. Eight studies involving 252 participants were included in this systematic review. Five studies reported psychological outcomes, of which three reported significance. Quality of life was reported to improve in one study, while other studies reported mixed results. Physical outcomes demonstrated significant improvements in two studies. Most of the included studies were pilot studies with small sample sizes and with methodological limitations. This systematic review findings has shown that, Yoga has a potential role in improving the physical and psychological well-being of caregivers, particularly in neurorehabilitation and cancer care settings. Due to the heterogenicity in interventions and reported outcomes, a definitive conclusion cannot be made. Further research should focus on large well-designed trials with different yoga modules, and standardized outcomes should support the role of integrating yoga in a holistic approach to treat these patients.
Yoga has gained attention as a potential intervention for improving various aspects of health, including sleep quality. Melatonin, a hormone involved in regulating the sleep-wake cycle, has been suggested to play a key role in mediating the effects of yoga on sleep. However, the impact of yoga on melatonin levels remains unclear. The current meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the effect of yoga on melatonin levels based on existing studies. A systematic literature search was conducted to identify studies investigating the impact of yoga on melatonin levels. Five eligible studies were included, comprising a total of 196 observations. The standardized mean difference (SMD) was calculated as the effect size measure. The current meta-analysis was performed using a random-effects model to estimate the pooled SMD, along with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) in R software (version 4.3.2). Heterogeneity across studies was assessed using the I 2 statistics. Totally five studies were included in the current meta-analysis. The meta-analysis revealed a moderate certainty of evidence on the role of yogic techniques on melatonin levels, with a pooled SMD of 0.37 (95% - CI: [0.09; 0.66]). This meta-analysis provides evidence supporting the regular practice of yoga, including meditation and mantra chanting, in enhancing the melatonin levels. This increase in melatonin may contribute to improved sleep quality. These results underscore the potential of yoga as a nonpharmacological approach for enhancing sleep health and overall well-being. Further research is needed to elucidate the underlying mechanisms and optimal practices for incorporating yoga into sleep management strategies.