Effects of Yoga on Heart Rate Variability and Mood in Women

Heart Rate Variability Clinical Trial

Official title:

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

Clinical Trial Details — Status: Completed

Administrative data

• NCT number: NCT02153385
• Other study ID #: KMU-Q099012
• Status: Completed
• Phase: N/A
• First received: May 19, 2014
• Last updated: June 2, 2014
• Start date: September 2010
• Est. completion date: June 2011

Study information

• Verified date: June 2014
• Source: Kaohsiung Medical University
• Contact: n/a
• Is FDA regulated: No
• Health authority: Taiwan: Institutional Review Board
• Study type: Interventional

Clinical Trial Summary

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.

Recruitment information / eligibility

• Status: Completed
• Enrollment: 52
• Est. completion date: June 2011
• Est. primary completion date: June 2011
• Accepts healthy volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers
• Gender: Female
• Age group: 18 Years to 50 Years

Eligibility

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

Study Design

Allocation: Randomized, Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment, Masking: Open Label, Primary Purpose: Treatment

Related Conditions & MeSH terms

• Heart Rate Variability

Intervention

Other:
• Yoga
Yoga program was 60 min per session, twice per week for 8 weeks. Led by an experienced yoga instructor.

Locations

Country	Name	City	State
Taiwan	Kaohsiung Medical University	Kaohsiung

Sponsors (1)

Lead Sponsor	Collaborator
Kaohsiung Medical University

Country where clinical trial is conducted

Taiwan, 

Outcome

Type	Measure	Description	Time frame	Safety issue
Primary	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	No