Effects of Yoga on Heart Rate Variability and Mood in Women

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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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.

Official Title
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Effects of Yoga on Heart Rate Variability and Mood in Women: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Conditions
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Heart Rate Variability

Intervention / Treatment
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* Other: Yoga


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: women aged 18-50 years old body mass index < 30 kg/m2 Exclusion Criteria: currently engaged in regular yoga practice pregnant nursing had physical contraindications to exercise

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 18 Years
Maximum Age: 50 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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Female

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Treatment
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment
Masking: None (Open Label)


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: Yoga group<br>Two yoga sessions per week for 8 weeks | Other: Yoga<br>* Yoga program was 60 min per session, twice per week for 8 weeks. Led by an experienced yoga instructor.<br>|
| No Intervention: Control group<br>Usual level of physical activity; no involvement in any yoga practice during the course of the study | |

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 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 | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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Yoga, heart rate variability, stress, mood, women