International Journal of Yoga最新文献

Background: Previously, yoga breathing improved mood states and attention but the effect of varying breath frequency on mood and attention was not clear.

Objectives: The objective of this study was to determine the effects of changes in breath frequency on attention, mood, vigor, and affect states.

Materials and methods: Thirty participants (mean age ± standard deviation, 27.3 ± 4.2 years) were assessed on 2 separate days practicing either high-frequency yoga breathing (HFYB, breath frequency 54.23/min) or bumblebee yoga breathing (BBYB, breath frequency 3.97/min) in random order. Assessments included blood pressure (BP), cancellation test scores, Nijmegen (to check for hyperventilation), respiration (rate, height of the breath wave [depth], and duration of inhalation relative to exhalation), mood states, vigor, and affect states.

Results: Diastolic BP increased after HFYB, whereas systolic BP decreased after BBYB, after both sessions scores in a cancellation test increased (changes in cancellation test performance suggest alertness and test-directed attention), also global vigor (signifying mental energy) and global affect (related to being "happy" and "calm") scores increased, whereas negative mood decreased after HFYB session (P < 0.05, Wilcoxon signed-rank test).

Conclusion: Both HFYB and BBYB increased attention test scores, possibly due to cortical activation (HFYB) or relaxation (BBYB). In HFYB, breath frequency and inspiration duration increased suggestive of increased sympathetic activity, accounting for increased vigor, positive affect, and diastolic BP. In contrast in BBYB, low breath frequency, higher breath amplitude, and prolonged expiration suggestive of parasympathetic activity may account for the decreased systolic BP after BBYB.

Context: Yoga practice during pregnancy offers numerous benefits for maternal and fetal health, yet its prevalence and acceptance among pregnant women in Nepal remain understudied.

Aim: This study aimed to assess the prevalence of yoga practice and its acceptance as part of antenatal care (ANC) among pregnant women attending ANC at Rapti Provincial Hospital, Dang, Nepal.

Settings and design: A hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted at the ANC unit of Rapti Provincial Hospital, involving pregnant women attending ANC visits.

Methods: Data were collected through face-to-face interviews using a semi-structured questionnaire covering sociodemographic variables, family and health history, and yoga practice.

Statistical analyses: Descriptive statistics, Chi-square tests, and multivariate logistic regression were used for statistical analysis.

Results: Among 227 respondents, 16.7% practiced yoga during pregnancy, with 50.2% perceiving acceptance of yoga in ANC. The practice and acceptability of yoga in pregnancy were significantly associated with age, ethnicity, age at marriage, husband's age, employment status, husband's employment status, and prepregnancy yoga practice in bivariate analysis. While taking those factors in multivariate analysis, practice was found to be associated with husbands' employment status and prepregnancy yoga practice and acceptability was found to be associated with ethnicity, husbands' employment status, and prepregnancy yoga practice.

Conclusions: The study revealed the low yoga prevalence among pregnant Nepalese women, necessitating targeted interventions for its promotion during pregnancy. Integrating yoga into routine ANC could enhance maternal and fetal outcomes by educating women about its benefits and fostering supportive environments for practice.

Cardiac resonance is a complicated phenomenon involving the coordinated oscillations of numerous circulatory system components, such as electrical activity, contraction and relaxation, and blood flow. It is critical for the normal functioning of the heart and for maintaining blood flow throughout the body. Cardiac resonance is defined as a series of tiny waves produced by the heartbeat and overlaid on flow data and airway pressures. A variety of technologies, including cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging, can be used to identify these waves. CMR is a strong noninvasive method for seeing and quantifying heart anatomy and function in great detail. CMR can be used to assess cardiac resonance in both healthy and heart disease patients. A regular and coordinated pattern of oscillations characterizes cardiac resonance in healthy persons. In patients with heart illness, however, cardiac resonance can be interrupted, resulting in diminished cardiac function and decreased blood flow. The intricate role of cardiac resonance in cardiac health and disease is continuously being studied by researchers. However, it is obvious that cardiac resonance is an exciting area of research that has the potential to change the way to identify and treat heart illness. Yoga is a mind-body practice that has been demonstrated to have numerous cardiovascular health advantages, such as improved heart function, reduced inflammation, and lower blood pressure. Yoga is hypothesized to promote cardiac resonance by encouraging coordinated oscillations of numerous cardiovascular system components. Various researches have shown buoyant results such as yoga can be helpful in improving heart rate variability, cardiac resonance and reducing arterial stiffness. Stress can disrupt cardiac resonance and increase the risk of heart disease. More research is needed to completely understand the mechanisms that impact cardiac resonance and the long-term advantages of yoga for heart health.

Background and objective: Nada yoga is a complementary therapy known for its potential to reduce anxiety. This study aimed to assess the effects of nada yoga music on anxiety management and quality of life (QoL) in ovarian cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy.

Materials and methods: In this randomized controlled trial, 58 ovarian cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy were recruited. Participants were randomly assigned into two groups using a simple randomization procedure: Group A (control arm): Participants in this group listened to nada yoga music without any additional instructions. Group B (intervention arm): Participants in this group listened to the same nada yoga music with additional verbal instructions for meditation. Nada yoga music was delivered to both groups through a custom Android application developed for this study. Follow-up assessments were conducted every 3 weeks, and anxiety levels were measured using the Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale, whereas QoL was assessed using the EORTC QLQ (European Organization for the Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire)-C30 QoL questionnaire. Baseline data were collected just before the first chemotherapy session, and post data were collected after 12 weeks.

Results: Data from 49 participants were included in the analysis. Both groups were found to be homogeneous with respect to age, weight, and clinical parameters. Significant differences were observed in anxiety scores (P = 0.026), fatigue (P = 0.039), nausea/vomiting (P = 0.009), dyspnea (P = 0.011), financial difficulties (P = 0.006), and global health status in between the two groups (P = 0.039) favoring intervention arm of nada yoga music without instructions (Group A). However, no significant changes were observed in physical functioning (P = 0.390), role functioning (P = 0.453), emotional functioning (P = 0.192), cognitive functioning (P = 0.190), and social functioning (P = 0.282).

Conclusion: The 12-week nada yoga music therapy intervention offers a cost-effective approach to reducing anxiety and improving the QoL for ovarian cancer patients. This study highlights the result that Nada yoga simple music is more effective in ovarian cancer patients than the nada yoga music with verbal instruction of meditation. This study showed the potential of nada yoga music therapy as a valuable addition to comprehensive cancer care, emphasizing its positive impact on emotional well-being and symptom management.

Yoga is an ancient Indian practice that involves the mind and body. It is a combination of physical exercises and postures with a focus on deep breathing and meditation. Yoga thereby promotes a healthy lifestyle which is one of the key factors in the prevention of various cardiovascular diseases. The practice of yoga might hence be effective in preventing the onset of these diseases. Yoga exerts its beneficial effects by favorable modulation of the autonomic system, reduction in oxidative stress, decreased inflammatory stress, improved endothelial function, and epigenetic changes. These changes might contribute not only to the prevention of cardiovascular diseases but also to delaying and preventing the onset of various modifiable cardiovascular risk factors. This review aims to delineate the possible mechanisms of the effect of yoga on cardiovascular health and its potential beneficial effects.

Background: Hypothyroidism is an endocrine disorder in which the thyroid gland does not produce an adequate amount of thyroid hormones. This study aimed to determine the efficacy of yoga asanas as an add-on therapy for the management of hypothyroidism.

Materials and methods: For this interventional clinical study, a total of 450 study participants were screened for eligibility. Out of this, 170 study participants were found fit for preliminary eligibility following stringent inclusion and exclusion criteria. Further, 58 participants were excluded before randomization. A total of 112 hypothyroidism patients (57 in the control group and 55 in the yoga group) participated in this study. The study participants were further followed up for 8 weeks in both the yoga practice (yoga+ standard care of treatment) and control group (standard care of treatment only). The markers of oxidative stress, inflammation, and thyroid hormones were assessed at baseline and after 8 weeks of follow-up/intervention.

Results: After 8 weeks, the study participants in yoga group showed a significant reduction in serum thyroid-stimulating hormone and malondialdehyde levels as compared to baseline (P < 0.05). There was also a positive trend of improvement in other oxidative markers (catalase, superoxide dismutase, and glutathione), and a significant reduction in interleukin-6 levels (P < 0.05) was found in the yoga group as compared to the baseline. However, there was no significant change found in the control group of subjects.

Conclusion: Frequent yoga practice can be an effective lifestyle intervention for hypothyroidism, reducing oxidative stress, inflammation, and potentially improving overall well-being.

Pediatric behavioral concerns, encompassing anxiety, hyperactivity, and emotional dysregulation, pose significant challenges for children, families, and health-care professionals. Traditional interventions often rely on behavioral modification or medication, with varying degrees of success and potential side effects. In recent years, nonpharmacological approaches, particularly those grounded in mind-body practices, have gained traction. Yoga Nidra, a guided meditation technique rooted in yoga philosophy, offers a promising approach for promoting emotional well-being and positive behavioral change in children. This comprehensive review explores the potential of Yoga Nidra in addressing pediatric behavioral concerns. This review examined the potential mechanisms underlying Yoga Nidra's effects and existing research on its psychological impact, including stress reduction, emotional regulation, self-awareness, and sleep quality. Parallels were also drawn with hypnosis, another established mind-body technique. Finally, the research on Yoga Nidra's effectiveness in specific behavioral issues was reviewed and advocated for further investigation as a noninvasive intervention for promoting positive child development.

Background: Yoga breathing influences cortical activity and, hence, cortico-efferent sensory activity. Previously, slow yoga breathing influenced the components of mid-latency auditory evoked potentials.

Objective: The present study aimed to compare middle latency auditory evoked potentials (MLAEPs) recorded during (i) High-frequency yoga breathing (HFYB), (ii) Breath awareness (BAW), and (iii) Quiet rest (QR) as a control in experienced yoga practitioners.

Materials and methods: The MLAEPs were recorded before, during, and after the practice of HFYB compared to an equal duration of BAW and QR in 22 university students whose ages ranged from 18 to 28 years, recorded from the vertex referenced to linked earlobes and the ground electrode on forehead.

Results: The peak amplitude of the Pa wave was significantly increased during HFYB compared to before HFYB (repeated measures ANOVA, post hoc analysis with least significant difference, P < 0.05). During BAW, the peak amplitude of the Na wave was significantly increased compared to before BAW (P < 0.05). During QR, the peak latency of "Pa" and "Nb" waves was significantly increased compared to before QR (P < 0.01).

Conclusions: The findings suggest that changes in MLAEPs during HFYB, BAW, and QR were different and distinct. Both interventional sessions appear to increase the recruitment of neural resources in the primary auditory cortex, whereas QR appears to slow transmission within the thalamic reticular projection to the cortex. Generalizing the findings is restricted by the sample being confined to male experienced practitioners of yoga breathing.

Fibromyalgia is an idiopathic chronic widespread pain syndrome marked with specified tender points. There is no permanent cure of the disease. A 50-year-old man and his 49-year-old wife suffered from widespread pain, morning stiffness, sleep problems, and fatigue with complaints of brain fogging and forgetfulness from the past 13 and 26 years, respectively. Blood examinations were negative for rheumatic diseases; they were diagnosed with fibromyalgia. Supervised yogic intervention was administered to the couple for 4 weeks and assessed pain, flexibility, and cortical excitability before and after the intervention. Pain was assessed both objectively using quantitative sensory testing and subjectively using questionnaires. Flexibility and range of motion were assessed using the sit and reach test, Schober's test, and goniometry. Corticomotor excitability was recorded using transcranial magnetic stimulation figure of 8 coils. Reduction in pain on the numerical rating scale and descriptors' score was observed after yoga. There was an elevation in pressure pain thresholds, specifically at the painful areas using a digital algometer. Flexibility parameters showed an improvement in both the cases. The resting motor threshold was reduced by 2% of the maximum stimulus output; other corticomotor excitability parameters also showed some changes indicating the beneficial effect of yoga. At least 4 weeks of regular and supervised yogic intervention can harness pain relief, flexibility, and range of motion and improve corticomotor excitability in fibromyalgia patients.