Collectively , findings suggest that yogic practice s may promote significant improvements in several indices of importance in DM2 management , including glycemic control , lipid levels , and body composition .
More limited data suggest that yoga may also lower oxidative stress and blood pressure ; enhance pulmonary and autonomic function , mood , sleep , and quality of life ; and reduce medication use in adults with DM2 .
A growing body of evidence suggests yogic practice s may benefit adults with type 2 diabetes ( DM2 ) .
In this systematic review , we evaluate available evidence from prospect i ve controlled trials regarding the effects of yoga-based programs on specific health outcomes pertinent to DM2 management .
Community based yoga classes for type 2 diabetes: an exploratory randomised controlled trial
Background Yoga is a popular therapy for diabetes but its efficacy is contested . The aim of this study was to explore the feasibility of research ing community based yoga classes in Type 2 diabetes with a view to informing the design of a definitive , multi-centre trial Methods The study design was an exploratory r and omised controlled trial with in-depth process evaluation . The setting was two multi-ethnic boroughs in London , UK ; one with average and one with low mean socio-economic deprivation score . Classes were held at a sports centre or GP surgery . Participants were 59 people with Type 2 diabetes not taking insulin , recruited from general practice lists or opportunistically by general practice staff . The intervention group were offered 12 weeks of a twice-weekly 90-minute yoga class ; the control group was a waiting list for the yoga classes . Both groups received advice and leaflets on healthy lifestyle and were encouraged to exercise . Primary outcome measure was HbA1c . Secondary outcome measures included attendance , weight , waist circumference , lipid levels , blood pressure , UKPDS cardiovascular risk score , diabetes-related quality of life ( ADDQoL ) , and self-efficacy . Process measures were attendance at yoga sessions , self-reported frequency of practice between taught sessions , and qualitative data ( interviews with patients and therapists , ethnographic observation of the yoga classes , and analysis of documents including minutes of meetings , correspondence , and exercise plans ) . Results Despite broad inclusion criteria , around two-thirds of the patients on GP diabetic registers proved ineligible , and 90 % of the remainder declined to participate . Mean age of participants was 60 + /- 10 years .  Attendance at yoga classes was around 50 % . Nobody did the exercises regularly at home . Yoga teachers felt that most participants were unsuitable for ' st and ard ' yoga exercises because of limited flexibility , lack of basic fitness , co-morbidity , and lack of confidence . There was a small fall in HbA1c in the yoga group which was not statistically significant and which was not sustained six months later , and no significant change in other outcome measures . Conclusion The benefits of yoga in type 2 diabetes suggested in some previous studies were not confirmed . Possible explanations ( apart from lack of efficacy ) include recruitment challenges ; practical and motivational barriers to class attendance ; physical and motivational barriers to engaging in the exercises ; inadequate intensity and /or duration of yoga intervention ; and insufficient personalisation of exercises to individual needs . All these factors should be considered when design ing future trials . Trial registration National Research Register ( 1410 ) and Current Controlled Trials ( IS RCT N63637211 )
Collectively , findings suggest that yogic practice s may promote significant improvements in several indices of importance in DM2 management , including glycemic control , lipid levels , and body composition .
More limited data suggest that yoga may also lower oxidative stress and blood pressure ; enhance pulmonary and autonomic function , mood , sleep , and quality of life ; and reduce medication use in adults with DM2 .
A growing body of evidence suggests yogic practice s may benefit adults with type 2 diabetes ( DM2 ) .
In this systematic review , we evaluate available evidence from prospect i ve controlled trials regarding the effects of yoga-based programs on specific health outcomes pertinent to DM2 management .