A Pilot Study Measuring the Impact of Yoga on the Trait of Mindfulness

Background: The current study examined whether yoga would increase levels of mindfulness in a healthy population. Method: Forty-six participants were randomly assigned to an 8-week yoga intervention group or a wait-list control group. Mindfulness was assessed pre and post yoga, using the Freiburg Mindfulness Inventory (FMI). Results: Results indicate that the yoga group experienced a significant increase in Overall mindfulness, and in three mindfulness subscales; Attention to the present moment, Accepting and open attitudes toward experience, and Insightful understanding (p < .01). The control group experienced a significant increase in overall mindfulness (p < .02) and insightful understanding (p < .01). Findings suggest that a yoga intervention may be a viable method for increasing levels of trait mindfulness in a healthy population, potentially implicating yoga as a preventive method for the later development of negative emotional mood states (i.e. anxiety and depression). The control group also experienced moderate elevations of mindfulness at the second assessment.

Download Full-text

Effect of Yoga on Performance and Physical Fitness in Cricket Bowlers

International Journal of Yoga Therapy ◽

10.17761/2021-d-20-00060 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Sumedh S. Vaidya ◽

Bela Agarwal ◽

Yuvraj Singh ◽

Rajani Mullerpatan

Keyword(s):

Physical Fitness ◽

Scientific Evidence ◽

Intervention Group ◽

Control Group ◽

Yoga Intervention ◽

Yoga Group ◽

Cricket Bowling ◽

Speed Accuracy ◽

Cardiorespiratory Endurance ◽

Male Cricket

Abstract Cricket-bowling performance is known to be influenced by speed of ball release and accuracy. Currently, training sessions typically involve fielding-specific drills and conditioning exercises. Scientific evidence for inclusion of a comprehensive yoga intervention in daily training and exercise sessions remains unexplored. The present study explored the effect of yoga on bowling performance and physical fitness in cricket bowlers. Sports fitness testing and training were conducted among 60 non-elite recreational-club male cricket players aged 13–25 years. Cricket-bowling speed was e valuated using a speed radar gun, accuracy with a test developed by Portus et al., cardiorespiratory endurance using the yo-yo intermittent recovery test, lower-extremity and trunk strength using a back-leg dynamometer, upper-limb power using a medicine ball–throw test, power using a vertical-jump test, and flexibility using a sit-and-reach test. In addition to bowling practice, the yoga intervention group (n = 30) performed pranayama and standing and prone asana, whereas the control group (n = 30) practiced conventional conditioning exercises, for 45 minutes/day, three times a week, for 12 weeks. Improvement in bowling speed, accuracy, cardiorespiratory endurance, muscle strength, and flexibility were comparable between the two groups. Statistically significant improvements in baseline scores in bowling speed, accuracy, cardiorespiratory endurance, muscle flexibility, strength, and power were comparable between the two groups of non-elite male cricket players. Bowling speed improved by 6.52% in the yoga group and by 5.18% in the control group. Bowling accuracy improved by 35.40% in the yoga group and by 31.29% in the control group. Additional research on long-duration intervention in elite players may help to establish the role of yoga in conventional cricket-bowling training.

Download Full-text

Effects of a 12-Week Hatha Yoga Intervention on Cardiorespiratory Endurance, Muscular Strength and Endurance, and Flexibility in Hong Kong Chinese Adults: A Controlled Clinical Trial

Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine ◽

10.1155/2015/958727 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 2015 ◽

pp. 1-12 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

Caren Lau ◽

Ruby Yu ◽

Jean Woo

Keyword(s):

Muscular Strength ◽

Intervention Group ◽

Hatha Yoga ◽

Control Group ◽

Controlled Clinical Trial ◽

Chinese Adults ◽

Yoga Intervention ◽

Yoga Group ◽

Cardiorespiratory Endurance ◽

Push Up

Objective. To examine the effects of a 12-week Hatha yoga intervention on cardiorespiratory endurance, muscular strength and endurance, and flexibility in Chinese adults.Methods. 173 adults (aged 52.0 ± 7.5 years) were assigned to either the yoga intervention group (n=87) or the waitlist control group (n=86). 19 dropped out from the study. Primary outcomes were changes in cardiorespiratory endurance (resting heart rate (HR) and maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max)), muscular strength and endurance (curl-up and push-up tests), and lower back and hamstring flexibility (the modified back-saver sit-and-reach (MBS) test).Results. Compared to controls, the yoga group achieved significant improvements inVO2max(P<0.01), curl-up (P<0.05) and push-up (P<0.001) tests, and the MBS left and right leg tests (bothP<0.001) in both genders. Significant change was also found for resting HR between groups in women (P<0.05) but not in men. Further analysis comparing participants between younger and older subgroups yielded similar findings, except that the older participants in the yoga group failed to improve resting HR or the curl-up test versus control. Adherence (89%) and attendance (94%) were high. No serious adverse events occurred.Conclusion. A 12-week Hatha yoga intervention has favorable effects on cardiorespiratory endurance, muscular strength and endurance, and flexibility in Chinese adults.

Download Full-text

Evaluating the Feasibility and Impact of a Yoga Intervention on Cognition, Physical Function, Physical Activity, and Affective Outcomes in People Living With HIV: Protocol for a Randomized Pilot Trial (Preprint)

10.2196/preprints.13818 ◽

2019 ◽

Author(s):

Adria Quigley ◽

Kelly K O'Brien ◽

Marie-Josée Brouillette ◽

Marilyn MacKay-Lyons

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Randomized Trial ◽

Physical Function ◽

Pilot Trial ◽

Control Group ◽

People Living With Hiv ◽

Yoga Intervention ◽

Yoga Group ◽

Living With Hiv ◽

The Impact

BACKGROUND Despite lower mortality rates due to combination antiretroviral therapy, people living with HIV (PLWH) are grappling with increasingly complex health issues, including cognitive impairments in areas such as memory, attention, processing speed, and motor function. Yoga has been shown to be an effective form of exercise and mindfulness-based stress reduction for many clinical populations. However, no randomized trials have evaluated the impact of yoga on cognitive and physical function among PLWH. OBJECTIVE The aim of this pilot randomized trial was to determine the feasibility of a yoga intervention to lay the groundwork for a full-scale, multisite, community-based trial for PLWH. Specific objectives are to (1) assess the feasibility of study protocol and procedures, (2) compare cognition in the yoga group with the usual care control group after 12 weeks of the intervention in PLWH, and (3) compare the effects of the 12-week yoga intervention versus control on balance, walking speed, physical activity, mental health, medication adherence, and quality of life among PLWH. METHODS We propose a pilot randomized trial with 2 parallel groups (yoga versus control). We will recruit 25 PLWH (>35 years) from community and health organizations in Halifax, Canada. After baseline assessment with blinded assessors, participants will be randomly assigned to the yoga or control group, using a random computer generator. Participants in the yoga group will engage in supervised 60-min group-based yoga sessions 3 times a week for 12 weeks at a yoga studio. Participants in the control group will maintain their current physical activity levels throughout the study. RESULTS As per the Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials extension for pilot studies, means of all outcomes, mean change, and 95% CIs will be calculated for each group separately. Two-tailed independent t tests and Fisher exact tests will be used to compare groups at baseline. We will analyze quantitative postintervention questionnaire responses using Chi-square tests, and open-ended responses will be analyzed thematically. Intention-to-treat and per-protocol analyses will be used to analyze secondary variables. Changes in outcome variables will be examined between groups and within groups. Effect sizes will be reported for each outcome. A priori adherence and satisfaction criteria will be met if participants attend >70% of the yoga sessions and if >70% of the participants are satisfied with the intervention as determined by a postparticipation questionnaire. Study enrollment began in January 2018, with results expected for October 2019. CONCLUSIONS This pilot randomized trial will be the first to investigate the feasibility and effect of a yoga intervention on cognitive and physical outcomes among PLWH. This work will inform the feasibility of further investigations in terms of capacity building, participant recruitment and retention, and assessment and intervention protocols. CLINICALTRIAL ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03071562; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03071562 (Archived by WebCite at http://www.webcitation.org/785sfhWkw) INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPOR DERR1-10.2196/13818

Download Full-text

Population Study on the Impact Food Chemical Composition on Patients with Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Diseases

Revista de Chimie ◽

10.37358/rc.18.4.6237 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 69 (4) ◽

pp. 961-964

Author(s):

Andrei Vasile Olteanu ◽

Georgiana Emmanuela Gilca Blanariu ◽

Gheorghe Gh. Balan ◽

Dana Elena Mitrica ◽

Elena Gologan ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Chemical Composition ◽

Fatty Liver ◽

Nutritional Value ◽

Liver Steatosis ◽

Saturated Fat ◽

Control Group ◽

Healthy Population ◽

Alcoholic Fatty Liver ◽

Major Interest ◽

The Impact

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has become of major interest worldwide, it is estimated that more than 20% of the general population suffer from liver steatosis. NAFLD is highly associated with metabolic risk factors like type 2 diabetes mellitus, obesity and dyslipidemia, the patients diagnosed with NAFLD should adopt a high fiber low calorie diet, with reduced saturated fat and carbohydrates content, leading to weight loss and improvement of metabolic profile. Our study is aiming to shape the profile of the patient interested in being informed related to food quality and chemical composition and to evaluate the aspects on the food products label which are important for the customer. Between June 2017 and December 2017, 83 patients diagnosed with NASH were included in the study, representing the study group, while 33 subjects, without metabolic syndrome or digestive diseases, selected from patient list belonging to two general practitioners, constituted the control group. Related to the interest of being informed about the chemical composition and nutritional value of the products bought, the study showed a low interest for the provided information on nutritional value. lack of confidence in the provided information and complexity of the information are understandable, the high number of subject reasoning through lack of immediate clinical benefit is surprising. Among the healthy population the willingness to pay attention to this aspect is extremely low.

Download Full-text

The effect of the implementation of a good medical practice booklet on nursing home residents’ drug prescriptions: a difference-in-differences analysis based on data from electronic pill dispensers (Preprint)

10.2196/preprints.13507 ◽

2019 ◽

Author(s):

Stéphane Sanchez ◽

Cécile Payet ◽

Marie Herr ◽

Anne Dazinieras ◽

Caroline Blochet ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Nursing Homes ◽

Medical Practice ◽

Intervention Group ◽

Medication Use ◽

Nursing Home Residents ◽

Control Group ◽

Multilevel Regression ◽

Difference In Differences ◽

Good Medical Practice ◽

The Impact

BACKGROUND The elderly are particularly exposed to adverse events from medication. Among the various strategies to reduce polypharmacy, educational approaches have shown promising results. OBJECTIVE We aimed to evaluate the impact of the implementation of a good medical practice booklet on polypharmacy in nursing homes. METHODS We identified nursing homes belonging to a geriatric care provider that had launched a policy of proper medication use using a good medical practice booklet delivered to prescribers and pharmacists. Data were derived from electronic pill dispensers. The effect of the intervention on polypharmacy was assessed with multilevel regression models, with a control group to account for natural trends over time. The main outcomes were the average daily number of times when medication was administered and the number of drugs with different presentation identifier codes per resident per month. RESULTS 96,216 residents from 519 nursing homes were included between 1 January 2011 and 31 December 2014. The intervention group and the control group both decreased their average daily use of medication (-0.05 and -0.06). The good medical practice booklet did not have a statistically significant effect (exponentiated difference-in-differences coefficient 1.00, 95% confidence interval 0.99-1.02, P=.45). CONCLUSIONS Although the good medical practice booklet itself did not seem effective in decreasing medication use, our data show the effectiveness of a higher-level policy to decrease polypharmacy.

Download Full-text

The Effect of Javanese Language Videos with a Community Based Interactive Approach Method as an Educational Instrument for Knowledge, Perception, and Adherence amongst Tuberculosis Patients

Pharmacy ◽

10.3390/pharmacy9020086 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 9 (2) ◽

pp. 86

Author(s):

Fauna Herawati ◽

Yuni Megawati ◽

Aslichah ◽

Retnosari Andrajati ◽

Rika Yulia

Keyword(s):

Intervention Group ◽

Personal Control ◽

Control Group ◽

P Value ◽

Interactive Approach ◽

Community Based ◽

Tuberculosis Patients ◽

Level Of Knowledge ◽

The Impact

The long period of tuberculosis treatment causes patients to have a high risk of forgetting or stopping the medication altogether, which increases the risk of oral anti-tuberculosis drug resistance. The patient’s knowledge and perception of the disease affect the patient’s adherence to treatment. This research objective was to determine the impact of educational videos in the local language on the level of knowledge, perception, and adherence of tuberculosis patients in the Regional General Hospital (RSUD) Bangil. This quasi-experimental study design with a one-month follow-up allocated 62 respondents in the intervention group and 60 in the control group. The pre- and post-experiment levels of knowledge and perception were measured with a validated set of questions. Adherence was measured by pill counts. The results showed that the intervention increases the level of knowledge of the intervention group higher than that of the control group (p-value < 0.05) and remained high after one month of follow-up. The perceptions domains that changed after education using Javanese (Ngoko) language videos with the Community Based Interactive Approach (CBIA) method were the timeline, personal control, illness coherence, and emotional representations (p-value < 0.05). More than 95% of respondents in the intervention group take 95% of their pill compared to 58% of respondents in the control group (p-value < 0.05). Utilization of the local languages for design a community-based interactive approach to educate and communicate is important and effective.

Download Full-text

Investigating the Impact of Cognitive Training for Individuals With Bothersome Tinnitus: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Otolaryngology ◽

10.1177/0194599821994742 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 019459982199474

Author(s):

Maggie Xing ◽

Dorina Kallogjeri ◽

Jay F. Piccirillo

Keyword(s):

Randomized Controlled Trial ◽

Cognitive Training ◽

Mixed Model ◽

Controlled Trial ◽

Intervention Group ◽

Control Group ◽

Functional Index ◽

Open Label ◽

Randomized Controlled ◽

The Impact

Objective To evaluate the effectiveness of cognitive training in improving tinnitus bother and to identify predictors of patient response. Study Design Prospective open-label randomized controlled trial. Setting Online. Methods Participants were adults with subjective idiopathic nonpulsatile tinnitus causing significant tinnitus-related distress. The intervention group trained by using auditory-intensive exercises for 20 minutes per day, 5 days per week, for 8 weeks. The active control group trained on the same schedule with non–auditory intensive games. Surveys were completed at baseline, 8 weeks, and 12 weeks. Results A total of 64 participants completed the study. The median age was 63 years (range, 25-69) in the intervention group and 61 years (34-68) in the control group. Mixed model analysis revealed that within-subject change in Tinnitus Functional Index in the intervention group was not different than the control group, with marginal mean differences (95% CI): 0.24 (–11.20 to 10.7) and 2.17 (–8.50 to 12.83) at 8 weeks and 2.33 (–8.6 to 13.3) and 3.36 (–7.91 to 14.6) at 12 weeks, respectively. When the 2 study groups were compared, the control group had higher Tinnitus Functional Index scores than the intervention group by 10.5 points at baseline (95% CI, –0.92 to 29.89), 8.1 at 8 weeks (95% CI, –3.27 to 19.42), and 9.4 at 12 weeks (95% CI, –2.45 to 21.34). Conclusion Auditory-intensive cognitive training was not associated with changes in self-reported tinnitus bother. Given the potential for neuroplasticity to affect tinnitus, we believe that future studies on cognitive training for tinnitus remain relevant.

Download Full-text

Assessment of the impact of an opioid-specific education series on rates of medication-assisted treatment for opioid use disorder in veterans

American Journal of Health-System Pharmacy ◽

10.1093/ajhp/zxaa386 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Taylor Kirby ◽

Robert Connell ◽

Travis Linneman

Keyword(s):

Multivariate Analysis ◽

Hospital Admission ◽

Intervention Group ◽

Opioid Use Disorder ◽

Control Group ◽

Opioid Use ◽

Motivation To Change ◽

Heroin Use ◽

Ed Visits ◽

The Impact

Abstract Purpose The impact of a focused inpatient educational intervention on rates of medication-assisted therapy (MAT) for veterans with opioid use disorder (OUD) was evaluated. Methods A retrospective cohort analysis compared rates of MAT, along with rates of OUD-related emergency department (ED) visits and/or hospital admission within 1 year, between veterans with a diagnosis of OUD who completed inpatient rehabilitation prior to implementation of a series of group sessions designed to engage intrinsic motivation to change behavior surrounding opioid abuse and provide education about MAT (the control group) and those who completed rehabilitation after implementation of the education program (the intervention group). A post hoc, multivariate analysis was performed to evaluate possible predictors of MAT use and ED and/or hospital readmission, including completion of the opioid series, gender, age (>45 years), race, and specific prior substance(s) of abuse. Results One hundred fifty-eight patients were included: 95 in the control group and 63 in the intervention group. Rates of MAT were 25% (24 of 95 veterans) and 75% (47 of 63 veterans) in control and intervention groups, respectively (P < 0.01). Gender, completion of the opioid series, prior heroin use, and marijuana use met prespecified significance criteria for inclusion in multivariate regression modeling of association with MAT utilization, with participation in the opioid series (odds ratio [OR], 9.56; 95% confidence interval [CI], 4.36-20.96) and prior heroin use (OR, 3.26; 95% CI, 1.18-9.01) found to be significant predictors of MAT utilization on multivariate analysis. Opioid series participation and MAT use were independently associated with decreased rates of OUD-related ED visits and/or hospital admission (hazard ratios of 0.16 [95% CI, 0.06-0.44] and 0.32 [95% CI, 0.14-0.77], respectively) within 1 year after rehabilitation completion. Conclusion Focused OUD-related education in a substance abuse program for veterans with OUD increased rates of MAT and was associated with a decrease in OUD-related ED visits and/or hospital admission within 1 year.

Download Full-text

Community Health Workers as a Strategy to Tackle Psychosocial Suffering Due to Physical Distancing: A Randomized Controlled Trial

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph18063097 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 18 (6) ◽

pp. 3097

Author(s):

Dorien Vanden Bossche ◽

Susan Lagaert ◽

Sara Willems ◽

Peter Decat

Keyword(s):

Randomized Controlled Trial ◽

Community Health ◽

Health Workers ◽

Psychosocial Support ◽

Controlled Trial ◽

Intervention Group ◽

Psychosocial Health ◽

Control Group ◽

Randomized Controlled ◽

The Impact

Background: During the COVID-19 pandemic, many primary care professionals were overburdened and experienced difficulties reaching vulnerable patients and meeting the increased need for psychosocial support. This randomized controlled trial (RCT) tested whether a primary healthcare (PHC) based community health worker (CHW) intervention could tackle psychosocial suffering due to physical distancing measures in patients with limited social networks. Methods: CHWs provided 8 weeks of tailored psychosocial support to the intervention group. Control group patients received ‘care as usual’. The impact on feelings of emotional support, social isolation, social participation, anxiety and fear of COVID-19 were measured longitudinally using a face-to-face survey to determine their mean change from baseline. Self-rated change in psychosocial health at 8 weeks was determined. Results: We failed to find a significant effect of the intervention on the prespecified psychosocial health measures. However, the intervention did lead to significant improvement in self-rated change in psychosocial health. Conclusions: This study confirms partially the existing evidence on the effectiveness of CHW interventions as a strategy to address mental health in PHC in a COVID context. Further research is needed to elaborate the implementation of CHWs in PHC to reach vulnerable populations during and after health crises.

Download Full-text

Assessing the impact of the European resilience curriculum in preschool, early and late primary school children

School Psychology International ◽

10.1177/01430343211025075 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 014303432110250

Author(s):

Celeste Simões ◽

Anabela C. Santos ◽

Paula Lebre ◽

João R. Daniel ◽

Cátia Branquinho ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Intervention Group ◽

Well Being ◽

Primary School Children ◽

Control Group ◽

Physical And Mental Health ◽

Quasi Experimental ◽

Mental Health Difficulties ◽

Prosocial Behaviours ◽

The Impact

Resilience is an individual’s ability to adapt successfully to and persevere during and after significant challenges. Resilience programmes based on a socioemotional learning approach have been associated with an increase in protextive factors (e.g., prosocial competencies), improvements in physical and mental health, and a decrease in internalised and externalised symptoms. The present study aimed to evaluate the impact of the RESCUR curriculum implemented in Portuguese schools on students’ academic, behavioural, and socioemotional outcomes, based on child and teacher reports. Participants included 1,084 children (53.2% male) aged 3-15 ( M = 7.24, SD = 2.31). A quasi-experimental study compared outcomes for an experimental intervention group (AIG) with a waiting list control group (WG). The results showed the RESCUR programme decreased mental health difficulties while increasing both prosocial behaviours and well-being. In addition, academic performance increased for those in preschool after implementation. Both teachers and children consistently reported positive behavioural changes in resilience-related competencies after implementing RESCUR. Our findings contribute to the recent research on the potential of RESCUR to address key socioemotional competencies and improve relevant protextive factors. Study limitations and future recommendations are addressed.

Download Full-text