Effects of Yoga on Heart Rate Variability and Mood in Women

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

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.

Study Overview

• Status: Completed
• Conditions: Heart Rate Variability
• Intervention / Treatment: Other: Yoga

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Actual): 52
• Phase: Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• Taiwan
  • Kaohsiung, Taiwan, 807
    • Kaohsiung Medical University

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: 18 years to 50 years (Adult)
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No
• Genders Eligible for Study: Female

Description

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 Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

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

Number of Arms

2

Arms and Interventions

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

What is the study measuring?

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

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Kaohsiung Medical University
• Investigators: Principal Investigator: I-Hua Chu, PhD, Kaohsiung Medical University

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start: September 1, 2010
• Primary Completion (Actual): June 1, 2011
• Study Completion (Actual): June 1, 2011

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: May 19, 2014
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: May 29, 2014
• First Posted (Estimate): June 3, 2014

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Estimate): June 4, 2014
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: June 2, 2014
• Last Verified: June 1, 2014

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: Yoga, heart rate variability, stress, mood, women
• Other Study ID Numbers: KMU-Q099012