Author: Sujin Lee1, Teri Kim2, Minjung Woo3
Affiliation: <sup>1</sup> School of Exercise and Sport Science, University of Ulsan, Ulsan, South Korea.
<sup>2</sup> Division of Health and Sport Science, Dongguk University-WISE, Gyeongju, South Korea.
<sup>3</sup> School of Exercise and Sport Science, University of Ulsan, Ulsan, South Korea - mjwoo@ulsan.ac.kr.
Conference/Journal: J Sports Med Phys Fitness
Date published: 2024 Jul 1
Other:
Volume ID: 64 , Issue ID: 7 , Pages: 707-717 , Special Notes: doi: 10.23736/S0022-4707.24.15407-2. , Word Count: 205
Background:
This study investigated a stress management exercise program's effect on mental health, muscle pain, and autonomic nervous system activity in adults exposed to chronic stress.
Methods:
Thirty mothers between 40 to 59 years old raising children with disabilities were equally allocated into the yoga (YG) or control group (CG). The YG participated in 16 prop-assisted yoga sessions twice weekly for eight weeks, focusing on relaxing and strengthening neck, shoulder, back, and waist stress-related muscles. The Beck Depression Inventory, State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, Parenting Stress Scale, Stress Response Inventory, and Brief Resilience Scale assessed mental health variable changes. Visual Analog Scales (VAS) were used to self-report neck, shoulders, back, and waist pain and assess stress, anxiety, relaxation, and confidence. We also measured pain, psychological VAS, and Heart Rate Variability (HRV) immediately before and after each yoga session.
Results:
The YG exhibited significant reductions in muscle pain, depression, stress response, fatigue, and frustration, whereas the CG expressed no change. Prop-assisted yoga immediately improved pain and psychological VAS. HRV analyses revealed instantly reduced heart rates and an R-R interval and standard deviation normal to normal (SDNN) increase.
Conclusions:
Prop-assisted yoga may serve as a viable, safe, and efficient alternative therapeutic modality for managing chronic stress-related conditions.
PMID: 38916094 DOI: 10.23736/S0022-4707.24.15407-2