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Completed

NCT Number: NCT01305096

Effects of Yoga on Objective and Self-reported Health Indicators Among Female and Male Individuals

The purpose of this study is to determine whether inversions (specific yoga postures in which the heart is higher than the head) and other dynamic and static yoga postures affect heart rate variability, oxygen uptake, blood pressure, blood parameters and other objective measures of health, and a variety of subjective and objective measures of health in female and male individuals in Sweden.

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Key information

Conditions

Stress, Psychological, Physiological Body Weight Dyssomnias Mental Disorders Nervous System Diseases Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms Signs and Symptoms Sleep Disorders, Intrinsic Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders Sleep Wake Disorders

Age range

20 year–40 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Karolinska Institute

Stockholm, Sweden

About this study

This randomized, controlled trial involving 44 male and females in Sweden will investigate whether yoga inversions and semi-inversions and other dynamic and static yoga postures will affect the following variables: heart rate variability, oxygen uptake, anthropometric variables, common symptoms in general practice, sleepiness, sleep quality and recovery/recuperation after sleep, blood pressure, blood lipids, blood proteins, blood sugar, salivary cortisol, hand grip strength, relaxation and recovery perceived stress, self-rated health, rating of perceived exertion, satisfaction with life, and work-family conflict.

Participants will be divided into an intervention group and a passive control group. The intervention group will participate in six to ten weeks of yoga classes. The classes will be held 1-2 times a week for approximately one hour each and will include yoga poses and breathing techniques. The control group will not participate in any intervention but will conduct their lives as usual.

The variables will be assessed at baseline; at the end of the intervention; and three, six, and twelve months after the end of the intervention.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • Aged 20-40 years old

Exclusion criteria

  • Aged 40 or more years
  • Takes medication for high blood pressure or other strong medication
  • Recently had an operation
  • Diagnosed with eye disease (e.g., glaucoma)
  • Diagnosed with depression or burnout syndrome
  • Diagnosed with serious back or neck problems
  • Participates in intense physical activity more than once a week
  • Has digestive problems such as acid reflux
  • Serious disorder that affects the ability to do the yoga postures

Treatment and study plan

Yoga Intervention

Other

6 weeks of yoga postures, once a week for 60 minutes in a group session with a yoga teacher.

Primary outcomes

  1. Change in heart rate variability

    Time frame: Baseline and at the end of the 8-week intervention

    We will measure the change in this variable over time. The first measurement will be at baseline and the second at the end of the 8-week intervention (main measurement). If and only if there are effects after the 8-week intervention, we will follow up the participants at various intervals to determine how long the effects are sustained. These follow-ups will be conducted 3 months, 6 months, and 12 months after the end of the intervention.

  2. Change in oxygen uptake

    Time frame: Baseline and at the end of the 8 week intervention

    We will measure the change in this variable over time. The first measurement will be at baseline and the second at the end of the 8-week intervention (main measurement). If and only if there are effects after the 8-week intervention, we will follow up the participants at various intervals to determine how long the effects are sustained. These follow-ups will be conducted 3 months, 6 months, and 12 months after the end of the intervention.

Secondary outcomes

  1. Change in anthropometric variables

    Time frame: Baseline and at the end of the 8-week intervention

    Anthropometric variables include height, weight, waist-to-hip ratio, and body mass index(BMI). We will measure the change in these variables over time. The first measurement will be at baseline and the second at the end of the 8-week intervention (main measurement). If and only if there are effects after the 8-week intervention, we will follow up the participants at various intervals to determine how long the effects are sustained. These follow-ups will be conducted 3 months, 6 months, and 12 months after the end of the intervention.

  2. Change in common symptoms in general practice

    Time frame: Baseline and at the end of the 8-week intervention

    We will use the Common Symptoms in General Practice Index to measure how often over the past four weeks participants have experienced the fifteen most common health-related symptoms and complaints. The first measurement will be at baseline and the second at the end of the 8-week intervention (main measurement). If and only if there are effects after the 8-week intervention, we will follow up the participants at various intervals to determine how long the effects are sustained. These follow-ups will be conducted 3 months, 6 months, and 12 months after the end of the intervention.

  3. Change in level of sleepiness and measures of recovery or recuperation after sleep

    Time frame: Baseline and at the end of the 8-week intervention

    The Karolinska Sleepiness Scale will be used to measure this outcome variable. This scale measures degree of wakefulness at bedtime and after waking in the morning. The first measurement will be at baseline and the second at the end of the 8-week intervention (main measurement). If and only if there are effects after the 8-week intervention, we will follow up the participants at various intervals to determine how long the effects are sustained. These follow-ups will be conducted 3 months, 6 months, and 12 months after the end of the intervention.

  4. Change in blood pressure

    Time frame: Baseline and at the end of the 8-week intervention

    We will measure the change in this variable over time. The first measurement will be at baseline and the second at the end of the 8-week intervention (main measurement). If and only if there are effects at the end of the 8-week intervention, we will follow up the participants at various intervals to determine how long the effects are sustained. These follow-ups will be conducted 3 months, 6 months, and 12 months after the end of the intervention.

  5. Change in hand grip strength

    Time frame: Baseline and at the end of the 8-week intervention

    We will measure the change in this variable over time. The first measurement will be at baseline and the second at the end of the 8-week intervention (main measurement). If and only if there are effects after the 8-week intervention, we will follow up the participants at various intervals to determine how long the effects are sustained. These follow-ups will be conducted 3 months, 6 months, and 12 months after the end of the intervention.

  6. Change in measures of relaxation and recovery

    Time frame: Baseline and at the end of the 8-week intervention

    We will measure the change in these variables over time. The first measurement will be at baseline and the second at the end of the 8-week intervention (main measurement). If and only if there are effects after the 8-week intervention, we will follow up the participants at various intervals to determine how long the effects are sustained. These follow-ups will be conducted 3 months, 6 months, and 12 months after the end of the intervention.

  7. Change in perceived stress

    Time frame: Baseline and at the end of the 8-week intervention

    The Perceived Stress Scale will be used to measure this variable. The first measurement will be at baseline and the second at the end of the 8-week intervention (main measurement). If and only if there are effects after the 8-week intervention, we will follow up the participants at various intervals to determine how long the effects are sustained. These follow-ups will be conducted 3 months, 6 months, and 12 months after the end of the intervention.

  8. Change in self-rated health

    Time frame: Baseline and at the end of the 8-week intervention

    We will measure the change in this variable over time. The first measurement will be at baseline and the second at the end of the 8-week intervention (main measurement). If and only if there are effects after the 8-week intervention, we will follow up the participants at various intervals to determine how long the effects are sustained. These follow-ups will be conducted 3 months, 6 months, and 12 months after the end of the intervention.

  9. Change in rating of perceived exertion

    Time frame: Baseline and at the end of the 8-week intervention

    We will measure the change in this variable over time. The first measurement will be at baseline and the second at the end of the 8-week intervention (main measurement). If and only if there are effects after the 8-week intervention, we will follow up the participants at various intervals to determine how long the effects are sustained. These follow-ups will be conducted 3 months, 6 months, and 12 months after the end of the intervention.

  10. Change in satisfaction with life

    Time frame: Baseline and at the end of the 8-week intervention

    This variable will be measured with the Satisfaction With Life Scale. The first measurement will be at baseline and the second at the end of the 8-week intervention (main measurement). If and only if there are effects after the 8-week intervention, we will follow up the participants at various intervals to determine how long the effects are sustained. These follow-ups will be conducted 3 months, 6 months, and 12 months after the end of the intervention.

  11. Change in level of work-family conflict

    Time frame: Baseline and at the end of the 8-week intervention

    This variable will be measured with the Work-Family Conflict Scale. The first measurement will be at baseline and the second at the end of the 8-week intervention (main measurement). If and only if there are effects after the 8-week intervention, we will follow up the participants at various intervals to determine how long the effects are sustained. These follow-ups will be conducted 3 months, 6 months, and 12 months after the end of the intervention.

  12. Change in HbA1C

    Time frame: Baseline and at the end of the 8-week intervention

    We will measure the change in this variable over time. The first measurement will be at baseline and the second at the end of the 8-week intervention (main measurement). If and only if there are effects after the 8-week intervention, we will follow up the participants at various intervals to determine how long the effects are sustained. These follow-ups will be conducted 3 months, 6 months, and 12 months after the end of the intervention.

  13. Change in Apolipoproteins

    Time frame: Baseline and after the 8-week intervention

    We will measure the change in this variable over time. The first measurement will be at baseline and the second at the end of the 8-week intervention (main measurement). If and only if there are effects after the 8-week intervention, we will follow up the participants at various intervals to determine how long the effects are sustained. These follow-ups will be conducted 3 months, 6 months, and 12 months after the end of the intervention.

  14. Change in Adiponectin/Leptin ratio

    Time frame: Baseline and at the end of the 8-week intervention

    We will measure the change in this variable over time. The first measurement will be at baseline and the second at the end of the 8-week intervention (main measurement). If and only if there are effects after the 8-week intervention, we will follow up the participants at various intervals to determine how long the effects are sustained. These follow-ups will be conducted 3 months, 6 months, and 12 months after the end of the intervention.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Karolinska Institutet

Other

Collaborators

  • Region Stockholm
  • Stockholm University

Registry information

Important dates

Study start
2011
Primary completion
2014
Study completion
2014
First posted
Feb 28, 2011
Registry last updated
Oct 24, 2014

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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