Effects of Yoga on Heart Rate Variability and Mood in Women

NCT02153385 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: KMU-Q099012
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 52
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

Background: Women are more likely to suffer from depression and anxiety, which have been linked to reduced heart rate variability (HRV) and increased cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of an 8-week yoga program on HRV and mood in generally healthy women. The investigators hypothesized that there would be improvements in HRV and reductions in perceived stress and symptoms of depression and anxiety after the yoga intervention. Methods: Fifty-two healthy women were randomized to either a yoga group or a control group. Participants in the yoga group completed an 8-week yoga program, which comprised a 60-minute session, twice a week. Each session consisted of breathing exercises, yoga pose practice, and supine meditation/relaxation. Participants' HRV, perceived stress, depressive symptoms, and state and trait anxiety were assessed at baseline and week 9.

Conditions

Heart Rate Variability

Keywords

Yoga, heart rate variability, stress, mood, women

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Change from baseline in heart rate variability at week 9

  Heart rate variability analysis was derived from continuous heart rate recording, at a sampling rate of 1024 Hz, using an electrocardiogram (ECG) system (MP 150, BIOPAC Systems, Goleta, CA, USA). Participants were instructed to avoid exercise one day before the assessment session and abstain from caffeinated food and beverages on the day of assessment. During the assessment, participants were instructed to relax in a supine position with no other tasks or stimulation for 20 minutes while the ECG was recording. The last 10 minutes of the ECG recording was analyzed for HRV. R-R intervals were computed and the HRV power spectrum was obtained via a fast Fourier transformation algorithm using an appropriate software program (HRV Analysis for Windows, version 1.1; Biosignal Imaging Group and Analysis, the University of Kuopio, Kuopio, Finland).

  The ourcome measure was assessed at baseline and at week 9

Study Arms (2)

Yoga group

EXPERIMENTAL

Two yoga sessions per week for 8 weeks

Other: Yoga

Control group

NO INTERVENTION

Usual level of physical activity; no involvement in any yoga practice during the course of the study

Interventions

Yoga OTHER

Yoga program was 60 min per session, twice per week for 8 weeks. Led by an experienced yoga instructor.

Yoga group

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 50 Years
• Sex: female
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

• women
• aged 18-50 years old
• body mass index \< 30 kg/m2

You may not qualify if:

• currently engaged in regular yoga practice
• pregnant
• nursing
• had physical contraindications to exercise

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Kaohsiung Medical University: lead

Study Sites (1)

Kaohsiung Medical University

Kaohsiung City, 807, Taiwan

Location

MeSH Terms

Interventions

Yoga

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Mind-Body Therapies; Complementary Therapies; Therapeutics; Spiritual Therapies; Exercise Movement Techniques; Physical Therapy Modalities

Study Officials

• I-Hua Chu, PhD

  Kaohsiung Medical University

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: NONE
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Assistant Professor

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: May 19, 2014
• First Posted: June 3, 2014
• Study Start: September 1, 2010
• Primary Completion: June 1, 2011
• Study Completion: June 1, 2011
• Last Updated: June 4, 2014

Record last verified: 2014-06

Locations

TW (1)