No significant difference was found between yoga and exercise .
Conclusions There is promising evidence of yoga on improving cardio-metabolic health .
Background Yoga , a popular mind-body practice , may produce changes in cardiovascular disease ( CVD ) and metabolic syndrome risk factors .
Community-based Randomized Controlled Trial of Non-pharmacological Interventions in Prevention and Control of Hypertension among Young Adults
Context : Hypertension is a major chronic lifestyle disease . Several non-pharmacological interventions are effective in bringing down the blood pressure ( BP ) . This study focuses on the effectiveness of such interventions among young adults . Aims : To measure the efficacy of physical exercise , reduction in salt intake , and yoga , in lowering BP among young ( 20 - 25 ) pre-hypertensives and hypertensives , and to compare their relative efficacies . Setting s and Design : The study was done in the urban service area of JIPMER . Pre-hypertensives and hypertensives , identified from previous studies , constituted the universe . The participants were r and omized into one control and three interventional groups . Material s and Methods : A total of 113 subjects : 30 , 28 , 28 and 27 in four groups respectively participated for eight weeks : control ( I ) , physical exercise ( II ) - brisk walking for 50 - 60 minutes , four days/week , salt intake reduction ( III ) - to at least half of their previous intake , and practice of yoga ( IV ) - for 30 - 45 minutes/day on at least five days/week . Statistical Analysis Used : Efficacy was assessed using paired t test and ANOVA with Games Howell post hoc test . An intention to treat analysis was also performed . Results : A total of 102 participants ( 29 , 27 , 25 and 21 in groups I , II , III and IV ) completed the study . All three intervention groups showed a significant reduction in BP ( SBP/DBP : 5.3/6.0 in group II , 2.6/3.7 in III , and 2.0/2.6 mm Hg in IV respectively ) . There was no significant change ( SBP/DBP : 0.2/0.5 mmHg ) of BP in control group ( I ) . Physical exercise was most effective ( considered individually ) ; salt intake reduction and yoga were also effective . Conclusions : Physical exercise , salt intake reduction , and yoga are effective non-pharmacological interventions in significantly reducing BP among young hypertensives and pre-hypertensives . These can therefore be positively recommended for hypertensives . There is also a case to deploy these interventions in the general population
No significant difference was found between yoga and exercise .
Conclusions There is promising evidence of yoga on improving cardio-metabolic health .
Background Yoga , a popular mind-body practice , may produce changes in cardiovascular disease ( CVD ) and metabolic syndrome risk factors .