Effects of Yoga on Heart Rate Variability and Depressive Symptoms in Women: A Randomized Controlled Trial.
Author: Chu IH1,2, Wu WL1, Lin IM3, Chang YK4, Lin YJ1, Yang PC5.
Affiliation:
11 Department of Sports Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital , Kaohsiung, Taiwan .
22 Department of Medical Research, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital , Kaohsiung, Taiwan .
33 Department of Psychology, Kaohsiung Medical University , Kaohsiung, Taiwan .
44 Graduate Institute of Athletics and Coaching Science, National Taiwan Sport University , Taoyuan County, Taiwan .
55 Department of Psychiatry, Kaohsiung Medical University , Kaohsiung, Taiwan .
Conference/Journal: J Altern Complement Med.
Date published: 2017 Jan 4
Other:
Special Notes: doi: 10.1089/acm.2016.0135 , Word Count: 231
OBJECTIVES:
The purpose of the study was to investigate the effects of a 12-week yoga program on heart rate variability (HRV) and depressive symptoms in depressed women.
METHODS:
This was a randomized controlled trial. Twenty-six sedentary women scoring ≥14 on the Beck Depression Inventory-II were randomized to either the yoga or the control group. The yoga group completed a 12-week yoga program, which took place twice a week for 60 min per session and consisted of breathing exercises, yoga pose practice, and supine meditation/relaxation. The control group was instructed not to engage in any yoga practice and to maintain their usual level of physical activity during the course of the study. Participants' HRV, depressive symptoms, and perceived stress were assessed at baseline and post-test.
RESULTS:
The yoga group had a significant increase in high-frequency HRV and decreases in low-frequency HRV and low frequency/high frequency ratio after the intervention. The yoga group also reported significantly reduced depressive symptoms and perceived stress. No change was found in the control group.
CONCLUSIONS:
A 12-week yoga program was effective in increasing parasympathetic tone and reducing depressive symptoms and perceived stress in women with elevated depressive symptoms. Regular yoga practice may be recommended for women to cope with their depressive symptoms and stress and to improve their HRV.
KEYWORDS:
depression; heart rate variability; stress; women's health; yoga
PMID: 28051319 DOI: 10.1089/acm.2016.0135
[PubMed - as supplied by publisher]
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