Heart Rate Variability
Conditions
Keywords
Yoga, heart rate variability, stress, mood, women
Brief summary
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.
Interventions
OTHERYoga
Yoga program was 60 min per session, twice per week for 8 weeks. Led by an experienced yoga instructor.
Sponsors
Kaohsiung Medical University
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
FEMALE
Age
18 Years to 50 Years
Healthy volunteers
Yes
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
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Change from baseline in heart rate variability at week 9 | The ourcome measure was assessed at baseline and 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). |
Countries
Taiwan
Outcome results
None listed