Blood Pressure Effects of Yoga, Alone or in Combination With Lifestyle Measures: Results of the Lifestyle Modification and Blood Pressure Study (LIMBS)

Abstract

The authors conducted a study to assess the effects of yoga on blood pressure (BP). Patients were randomized to yoga (Blood Pressure Education Program [BPEP]), or a combined program (COMBO). Ambulatory BP was measured at baseline and at 12 and 24 weeks. Data are presented for all enrolled patients (n=137) and for completers only (n=90). Systolic BP (SBP) and diastolic BP (DBP) were significantly decreased within all groups at 12 and 24 weeks (P<.001) for enrolled patients and completers. SBP was significantly reduced in the yoga and COMBO groups as compared with the BPEP group at 12 weeks in all enrolled and completers. SBP differences were no longer significant at 24 weeks between groups in all enrolled patients; however, there was a greater reduction in SBP at 24 weeks in completers favoring BPEP over yoga. No differences in DBP between groups or in BP between the yoga and COMBO groups were present. The authors did not observe an additive benefit from combining yoga with BPEP measures. Reasons for this are unclear at this time. BP lowering with yoga, however, was similar to that achieved with lifestyle measures.

Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT00964847.

© 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Figures

Figure 1

Study flow diagram. BPEP indicates Blood Pressure Education Program; Combo, combined yoga and education intervention.

Figure 2

Weight and body mass index (BMI) changes within groups at baseline and 12 and 24 weeks. *Significant weight gain and increase in BMI in the combined yoga and education intervention (COMBO) from baseline to 24 weeks (P<.05). BPEP indicates Blood Pressure Education Program.

Figure 3

(a) Changes in systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) for all enrolled participants (intention to treat) at 12 and 24 weeks. *P<.001 for change in SBP and DBP within groups. **P<.01 for difference in SBP between yoga and Blood Pressure Education Program (BPEP), the combined yoga and education intervention (COMBO), and BPEP at 12 weeks. (b) Changes in SBP and DBP for completers (per protocol) at 12 and 24 weeks. *P<.001 for change in SBP and DBP within groups. **P<.01 for difference in SBP between yoga and BPEP, in COMBO and BPEP at 12 weeks, and in SBP between BPEP and yoga at 24 weeks.