None listed
Conditions
Brief summary
Levels of perceived stress have indeed been found to have increase considerably over the past decades. Chronic stress is considered to be incredibly toxic, resulting in long-term psychological and physiological changes such that maladaptive emotional states, like depression, increase along with inflammation, while immune functioning decreases. Consequently, stress is among the leading causes for the global burden of disease, entailing heavy costs for both health care systems and the private economy. Alongside this “stress-epidemic” the popularity of yoga is growing exponentially. In addition to reported stress relief, Hatha yoga has been suggested to decrease levels of inflammation as advanced practitioners were found to have lower levels of inflammation than beginners (Kiecolt-Glaser et al., 2010). A randomised control trial on heart failure patients suggested that the practice of Hatha yoga significantly lowered inflammation within a two month period (Pullen et al., 2008). While the empirical evidence for the practice of yoga as a therapeutic technique is promising (Chandratreya, 2011), the literature has reported methodological limitations. Such limitations include small sample sizes (insufficient to obtain power); a lack of standardised protocols in conducting interventions (making studies difficult to replicate); and a general lack of the use of biological markers (considered to be more objective than psychological measures alone). In order to be able to definitively conclude that yoga offers a benefit to chronically stressed individuals biomedical studies that are adequately powered, and use standardised protocols, are required. Hence, this investigation has been designed to address the aforementioned limitations in a randomised controlled trial (RCT). A standardised protocol of yoga will be administered for 16 sessions. We hypothesise that yoga participation in the yoga intervention will benefit participants psychologically, physiologically, and biochemically.
Interventions
Yoga Intervention conducted by certified yoga instructor (Yoga Australia, Level 2) with 7 years teaching experience. Classes were conducted at a centrally located community centre (public transport and ample parking is available nearby).Composed of 8 weeks of twice-weekly hour long yoga classes (16 classes total), which follow the structure listed below. Classes were scheduled for Monday and Friday evenings and participants were assigned to a flexible 1730-1830 or 1900-2000 timeslot (the maximum
Yoga Intervention conducted by certified yoga instructor (Yoga Australia, Level 2) with 7 years teaching experience. Classes were conducted at a centrally located community centre (public transport and ample parking is available nearby).Composed of 8 weeks of twice-weekly hour long yoga classes (16 classes total), which follow the structure listed below. Classes were scheduled for Monday and Friday evenings and participants were assigned to a flexible 1730-1830 or 1900-2000 timeslot (the maximum class-size feasible = 30 participants). 1) Active mindfulness mediation 2) Warm-up postures on floor 3) Sun Salutations (series of postures that 'flow together') 4) Standing postures 5) Floor postures 6) Savasana (lying down, relaxation) Prior to class participants were asked to complete a self-reported check-list of attendance, this was confirmed by instructor's observation/headcount. Additionally, participants completed the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS) before and after each class.
Sponsors
The University of Adelaide
Study design
Allocation
Randomised controlled trial
Intervention model
Parallel
Primary purpose
Treatment
Masking
Blinded (masking used) (Investigator)
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
All
Age
35 Years to 65 Years
Healthy volunteers
Yes
Inclusion criteria
1) Healthy and free from acute infections for at least two weeks prior to biochemical or psychological assessments as indicated by self-report. 2) Refrain from drinking alcohol in the last 48 hours prior to biochemical or psychological assessments. 3) Refrain from eating or drinking (other than water) for 12 hours prior to biochemical or psychological assessments. 4) Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K10) score of 16+, for at least one month (Kessler & Mroczeck, 1994) 5) Able to commit to attendance at 2 yoga classes a week for the duration of the intervention (8 weeks). 6) Able to provide own transportation to and from the assessment sessions at SA Pathology. 7) Agreement to withhold commencement of a yoga practice until after the follow up testing session, if allocated to the waitlist control.
Exclusion criteria
1) Anaemia 2) Diabetes 3) Cardiovascular diseases such as coronary heart disease 4) Blood cancers such as leukaemia and lymphoma 5) Inflammatory bowel diseases such as Crohn’s disease 6) Autoimmune diseases such as autoimmune thyroiditis and lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, pernicious anaemia 7) Asthma and being treated with steroids 8) Known immunodeficiency diseases such as HIV and infectious mononucleosis 9) Smoking 10) Alcoholism 11) On immune effecting medication 12) Serious psychological illness 13) Serious physiological illness 14) Presently practicing yoga, or having engaged in a regular yoga practice within the past year 15) Foreseeable acute stressors arising during the course of the intervention and follow-up period (e.g. university exams)
Outcome results
None listed