International journal of yoga therapy最新文献

A previous study reported an exclusive increase in positive mood states with backward-bending postures, with some changes common to both forward- and backward-bending postures, in 11 yoga beginners. To further determine any unique effects of forward- or backward-bending postures, the present trial examined six yoga postures in 64 yoga-experienced participants (mean age 22.81 ± 2.01; male-to-female ratio 24:40). We assessed mood states (Brief Mood Introspection Scale), relaxation (Relaxation State Questionnaire), and attention (Letter-Digit Substitution Test) before and after six yoga postures performed on 6 separate days in random order. There were two forward-bending postures (forward sitting, or seated forward bend, and forward standing, or hand-to-foot pose), two backward-bending postures (backward sitting, or camel pose, and backward standing, or half-wheel pose), and two control postures (control sitting, or easy pose, and control standing, or mountain pose), each done for 90 seconds. Both forward sitting/seated forward bend and forward standing/hand-to-foot increased peppy feelings and decreased drowsy feelings (p < 0.05 in all cases, repeated-measures ANOVA). Both backward sitting/camel and backward standing/half-wheel increased feeling calm and active. Forward sitting/seated forward bend increased feeling happy and content, whereas backward standing/half-wheel increased content and loving feelings. Control sitting/easy pose alone decreased feeling gloomy and drowsy and increased overall relaxation. All postures increased net attempts (suggesting enhanced attention) in the Letter-Digit Substitution Test, while forward standing/hand-to-foot alone decreased incorrect attempts (indicating enhanced accuracy). The results suggest that both forward- and backward-bending yoga postures have unique as well as common effects on mood states. Specific yoga postures may be selected to modify mood states, while research in clinical populations would support therapy applications.

Postmenopausal women are at an increased risk of falls and fractures. Upper-extremity fractures because of forward falls are common in women in their 50s and 60s, but little research has focused on the potential fall and injury risk factors within this age bracket and ways to mitigate the risks. Yoga is a promising intervention for older women to improve balance, muscle strength, and upper-body reactions for a safer fall landing. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the effect of 12 weeks of a hatha Balance Flow Yoga class on forward fall and injury risk factors in postmenopausal women. Thirty-six women between the ages of 50 and 70 participated in an intervention study where they were tested at baseline (base), 12 weeks after a control period (pre), and again 12 weeks after participating in the group-based yoga intervention offered twice per week (post). Outcome measures included fall risk factors (balance, balance confidence, lower-body strength, and dual task) and forward fall injury risk factors (upper-body strength, range of motion, and response time). Repeated-measures multivariate analysis of variance found a significant time improvement in fall risk factors and forward fall injury risk factors (p = 0.004). Specifically, there was significant improvement in balance (one-leg stand), lower-body strength (30-second sit to stand), and upper-body response time after the intervention. Tailoring yoga classes for older women to focus on improving fall-related risk factors may help to provide effective options to improve their ability to prevent serious consequences of fall-related injury.

Techniques for rapid blood pressure modification without the side-effects associated with pharmaceuticals are urgently needed, especially for individuals with spinal cord injuries above thoracic level six (T6). Such cervical injuries lead to sympathetic nervous system dysfunction, negatively affecting cardiovascular health and quality of life. Our biofeedback protocol aimed to teach participants to self-modulate their blood pressure using yoga breathwork (kapalabhati and brahmari pranayama), virtual reality imagery, autogenics, and interoceptive attention. In this cohort study, we trained 13 participants with spinal cord injuries and 7 noninjured controls for 1 hour per session across 8 sessions in a month. The goal was to decrease mean arterial pressure by at least 5 mmHg during relaxation cycles and increase it by at least 5 mmHg during stimulation cycles. We assessed hemodynamic responses to head-up tilt testing, the Valsalva maneuver, and paced deep breathing before and after the 8 trainings and evaluated quality of life and interoception with qualitative surveys. Heart rate variability changes were also assessed. The protocol was effective in modulating mean arterial pressure and heart rate variability in individuals with chronic cervical spinal cord injuries, as well as in noninjured control participants.

Yoga and meditation are increasingly recognized for enhancing physical and mental well-being. However, there is limited research on university lecturers' perceptions and willingness to incorporate these practices into their day-to-day teaching and learning activities. The present study explored the benefits of yoga and meditation perceived by university lecturers and their willingness to engage in these practices. A cross-sectional study involving 162 university lecturers selected through convenience sampling was conducted at a university in North India. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire developed and validated as part of this study. The questionnaire comprised demographic information, perceived benefits, and willingness to practice yoga and meditation. The questionnaire underwent reliability and content validity testing, with Cronbach's alpha values ranging from 0.854-0.881. Descriptive statistics and chi-squared tests were used to analyze the data. More than 95% of respondents perceived positive impacts of yoga and meditation on physical and mental health, stress reduction, sleep quality, immune system strength, self-awareness, work-life balance, and job satisfaction. Despite these positive perceptions, only 11.1% of respondents practiced yoga and meditation daily. However, 89.8% expressed willingness to participate in university-provided sessions. The university lecturers recognized the significant benefits of yoga and meditation, yet their regular practice remained limited. The high willingness to engage in these practices suggests the potential for successfully implementing structured yoga and meditation programs within university settings. Future research should explore long-term impacts and tailor interventions to address specific demographic needs, potentially enhancing well-being and job satisfaction among academic staff.

Yoga is associated with a spectrum of health benefits (e.g., flexibility, balance, strength, and stress management) in diverse populations. Fewer studies have explored yoga's relationship with body composition; this is the first study investigating the effect of yoga on body composition in collegiate athletes. We enrolled 14 Division 1 female athletes (age 18-22) who were active competitors in either track and field or cross-country running. All subjects underwent baseline body composition testing using a Fit3D imaging device. We recorded body fat percentage, waist circumference, hip circumference, and waist-to-hip ratio. Subjects were randomly assigned to either an experimental group (n = 7) or control group (n = 7). The experimental group participated in 60 minutes of in-person, guided yoga twice weekly. After 4 weeks, both experimental and control groups underwent follow-up testing. Differences in body composition changes were assessed using paired-sample and independent-sample t tests as appropriate. There were no differences between groups at baseline (p > 0.130). At follow-up, trending differences were observed between groups in body fat percentage (p = 0.073), waist circumference (p = 0.080), and hip circumference (p = 0.057). Participants in the yoga intervention experienced reductions in waist circumference (p = 0.021) and waist-to-hip ratio (p = 0.020). Control subjects experienced increases over time in body fat percentage (p = 0.017), waist circumference (p = 0.036), and hip circumference (p = 0.002). These results indicate that yoga may have a protective effect against adverse changes in adiposity. Accordingly, trainers, coaches, and clinicians may consider incorporating yoga practice as a weight-management tool. Future research should examine whether these results are consistent in larger and more heterogeneous samples.

Chronic primary pain is persistent pain that leads to emotional distress, anxiety, and depression. It cannot be explained by any alternative diagnosis and disrupts daily functioning, including sleep and social activities. The present meta-analysis evaluated the impact of yoga on depression and anxiety in people with chronic primary pain; we also evaluated yoga's effect on pain, quality of life, adherence, and adverse effects. Randomized controlled trials involving patients with chronic primary pain and utilizing yoga as an intervention were included. The databases PubMed, Cochrane Library, CINAHL, and Ovid were searched to extract participant demographics, intervention characteristics, outcomes, and study quality. Data synthesis involved random-effects meta-analysis for effect sizes and subgroup analyses based on control groups. Among the six trials involving 382 subjects, yoga significantly improved depression (standard mean difference -1.54), anxiety (standard mean difference -1.56), pain (mean difference -1.56), and quality of life (standard mean difference -1.26) compared to controls; no significant adverse events were observed. Yoga has a positive effect on levels of depression, anxiety, and pain in people with chronic primary pain, improving their quality of life. The grade of evidence for depression and anxiety ranged from low to very low; however, in comparisons with active and passive control groups, yoga may serve as a valuable nonpharmacological intervention for managing both physiological and psychological symptoms in patients with chronic primary pain, complementing standard medical care. Future studies should explore the optimal duration/ frequency of yoga practices, along with different types of yoga practices and yoga traditions, which may help to formulate delivery models for chronic primary pain management.

Youth involved in the juvenile justice system in Colombia may face complex and intersecting trauma(s) that can affect key aspects of their well-being, including the regulation of difficult emotions such as anger or aggressive behaviors. The broader literature demonstrates that these well-being indicators may be crucial aspects of rehabilitation for youth in the Colombian juvenile justice system. Moreover, these indicators may be linked to the successful reintegration of youth into their communities and contribute to reduced recidivism rates. Presently in Colombia, few interventions for youth in juvenile detention centers seek to improve the emotional regulation or aggression levels of youth. The present study assesses the impact of a trauma-informed Integral Yoga intervention that focused on emotional regulation and aggression indicators in youth living in four juvenile detention centers located in three cities in Colombia (two in Cali, one in Bucaramanga, and one in Tunja). A pre/post quasi-experimental design was used in the evaluation, and the results demonstrated a nonsignificant increase in emotional regulation and a statistically significant reduction in aggression scores. The final discussion explores the role of trauma-informed and yoga-based interventions for youth rehabilitation in Colombia's juvenile justice system.

This perspective offers a descriptive insight into the early 20th century transformation from what was considered "folk yoga" to a scientific appraisal of hatha yoga techniques and classical yoga texts. Combined, these views convey an overall psychophysical yoga approach. The earliest scientific research on hatha yoga techniques and initial efforts to apply this through a more validated "yoga therapy" are revealed through analysis of the entire catalog of published articles in the journal Yoga Mīmāmsā, initiated by Sri Swami Kuvalayananda, founder of the Kaivalyadhama Yoga Institute in 1924. Both the journal and institute were established with the express purpose of scientifically researching yoga techniques, detailing the practices, and making this information available to the public. Now, more than 100 years later, the present perspective also details the foundation for yoga exercises as therapy based on their influence on the nerves, glands, and muscles responsible for the health of the different organ systems and their tissues, drawn from research and conclusions of modern physiology, anatomy, and pathology. In addition, we present a detailed analysis of the earliest published research experiments on aspects of yoga practice. The first published research involved a novel X-ray experiment on the hatha yoga kriya (cleansing practice) of nauli (abdominal massage). Subsequent investigations included blood pressure and asana (physical postures), intragastric pressure, alveolar air, and pressure changes from a variety of techniques that dominated the research content throughout the 1930s. A final discussion on limitations of this early era of research is included.

Our study aimed to explore the psychosocial benefits of a yoga program called Trauma-Informed Mind-Body Well-Being (TI-MBW) in Rwanda, Africa. The study used a nonrandomized controlled trial design with 227 Rwandan community members between 18 and 75 years old. TI-MBW yoga students (n = 109) participated in 12 weeks of yoga classes delivered through trauma-informed methods, while the non-yoga control group (n = 118) did not take part in the program. The study measured the impact of the yoga program on participants' well-being as compared to the control group. Data collection involved pretests, posttests, and a 6-month follow-up measuring self-efficacy, self-regulation, mindful self-care, belief in personal growth, and traumatic distress. Quantitative statistical analysis, including analysis of variance with repeated measures, indicated that individuals who engaged in the yoga program exhibited clinically significant increases in constructs related to well-being as compared to the control group. Follow-up data further revealed that continued participation in the program increased self-regulation, self-efficacy, mindful self-care, and belief in personal growth. These outcomes support the notion that yoga-based programs, such as TI-MBW, may enhance the well-being of individuals in Rwanda. The significance of this study lies in its distinction as what is believed to be the first noncontrolled trial evaluating a yoga program with a follow-up conducted in Rwanda. Future research should focus on investigating the program across diverse populations to validate its broader applicability and potential benefits.

Yoga is known to improve the symptomatology caused by cancer and its treatments, and to improve quality of life. However, the barriers, facilitators, and predictors of adherence to yoga among people with cancer are not well known. The objective of the present study was to use the available scientific literature to explore the degree of the adherence to yoga and its barriers/facilitators/predictors among people with cancer. This scoping review searched for relevant information in PubMed, SciELO, Google Scholar, CINAHL via EBSCO, and MEDLINE via EBSCO. We included any scientific articles in English, Portuguese, or Spanish, published between 1994 and 2024, and covering the concept of adherence to yoga during or after oncological treatment (including the description of barriers, facilitators, and/or predictors). Three independent reviewers selected documents, filtering by title and abstract, then by full text. Data extracted from studies were organized in frequency tables. Twenty-three articles were included in the final review. These studies reported adherence to yoga ranging from 7% to 100%. Most studies (76.5%) reported adherence higher than 70%. The most reported barriers were difficulty in accessing the yoga practice center, lack of time, cancer-related symptoms, family commitments, and lack of interest. The most-reported facilitators/predictors were related to yoga and included supportive materials and online classes. These barriers and facilitators/predictors should be addressed for the implementation of yoga programs targeting higher adherence among people with cancer.