Effects of yoga in men with prostate cancer on quality of life and immune response: a pilot randomized controlled trial

Background Diagnosis and treatment of prostate cancer is associated with anxiety, fear, and depression in up to one-third of men. Yoga improves health-related quality of life (QoL) in patients with several types of cancer, but evidence of its efficacy in enhancing QoL is lacking in prostate cancer. Methods In this randomized controlled study, 29 men newly diagnosed with localized prostate cancer were randomized to yoga for 6 weeks (n = 14) or standard-of-care (n = 15) before radical prostatectomy. The primary outcome was self-reported QoL, assessed by the Expanded Prostate Index Composite (EPIC), Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Prostate (FACT-P), Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy-Fatigue (FACIT–F), Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-General (FACT-G) at baseline, preoperatively, and 6 weeks postoperatively. Secondary outcomes were changes in immune cell status and cytokine levels with yoga. Results The greatest benefit of yoga on QoL was seen in EPIC-sexual (mean difference, 8.5 points), FACIT-F (6.3 points), FACT-Functional wellbeing (8.6 points), FACT-physical wellbeing (5.5 points), and FACT-Social wellbeing (14.6 points). The yoga group showed increased numbers of circulating CD4+ and CD8+ T-cells, more production of interferon-gamma by natural killer cells, and increased Fc receptor III expression in natural killer cells. The yoga group also showed decreased numbers of regulatory T-cells, myeloid-derived suppressor cells, indicating antitumor activity, and reduction in inflammatory cytokine levels (granulocyte colony-stimulating factor [0.55 (0.05–1.05), p = 0.03], monocyte chemoattractant protein [0.22 (0.01–0.43), p = 0.04], and FMS-like tyrosine kinase-3 ligand [0.91 (−0.01, 1.82), p = 0.053]. Conclusions Perioperative yoga exercise improved QoL, promoted an immune response, and attenuated inflammation in men with prostate cancer. Yoga is feasible in this setting and has benefits that require further investigation. Trial registration clinicaltrials.org (NCT02620033).

EEG Based Demarcation of Yogic and Non-Yogic Sleep Patterns Using Power Spectral Analysis

Electroencephalogram (EEG) signals resulting from recordings of polysomnography play a significant role in determining the changes in physiology and behavior during sleep. This study aims at demarcating the sleep patterns of yogic and non-yogic subjects. Frequency domain features based on power spectral density methods were explored in this study. The EEG recordings were segmented into 1s and 0.5s. EEG patterns with four windowing scheme overlaps (0%, 50%, 60% and 75%) to ensure stationarity of the signal in order to investigate the effect of the pre-processing stage. In order to recognize the yoga and non-yoga group through N3 sleep stage, non-linear KNN classifier was introduced and performance was evaluated in terms of sensitivity and specificity. The experimental results show that modified covariance PSD estimate is the best method in classifying the sleep stage N3 of yogic and non-yogic subjects with 95% confidence interval, sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of 97.3%, 98% and 97%, respectively.

EEG-Based Demarcation of Yogic and Non-Yogic Sleep Patterns Using Power Spectral Analysis

Electroencephalogram (EEG) signals resulting from recordings of polysomnography play a significant role in determining the changes in physiology and behavior during sleep. This study aims at demarcating the sleep patterns of yogic and non-yogic subjects. Frequency domain features based on power spectral density methods were explored in this study. The EEG recordings were segmented into 1s and 0.5s. EEG patterns with four windowing scheme overlaps (0%, 50%, 60% and 75%) to ensure stationarity of the signal in order to investigate the effect of the pre-processing stage. In order to recognize the yoga and non-yoga group through N3 sleep stage, non-linear KNN classifier was introduced and performance was evaluated in terms of sensitivity and specificity. The experimental results show that modified covariance PSD estimate is the best method in classifying the sleep stage N3 of yogic and non-yogic subjects with 95% confidence interval, sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of 97.3%, 98% and 97%, respectively.

Is Weekly Frequency of Yoga Practice Sufficient? Physiological Effects of Hatha Yoga Among Healthy Novice Women

Beneficial physical and physiological health outcomes of yoga practice are well-supported by empirical data. However, whether weekly frequency of training is sufficient to evoke positive changes, is still an open question. The present intervention study investigated the effects of 10 weekly sessions of beginner level hatha yoga with respect to indicators of physical fitness and physiological markers. 82 young women (mean age of 22.0 ± 3.83 years) participated in the study. The yoga group (N = 49) attended a yoga course consisting of 10 sessions (1.5 h each) on a weekly basis. The control group (N = 33) did not receive any intervention. BMI, body fat percentage, balance (one-leg-stand test with open and closed eyes, functional reach test), flexibility (side bend test, modified sit and reach test) core muscle strength (plank test) as well as resting heart rate (HR), and heart rate variability (HRV) were assessed 1 week before and after the course. Both frequentist and Bayesian analysis showed an improvement in flexibility and balance in the yoga group compared to the control group. The yoga group showed also increased core muscle strength. No changes with respect to BMI, body fat percentage, resting HR and HRV were found. Ninety minute beginner level hatha yoga classes were characterized by 93.39 HR and 195 kcal energy consumption on average. The present findings suggest that weekly setting of a 10-session long hatha yoga training leads to improvements in balance, flexibility and core muscle strength among healthy young women. However, for changes in BMI, body fat percentage, resting HR and HRV longer, and/or more intense interventions are needed.

A COMPARATIVE CLINICAL STUDY TO EVALUATE THE EFFECT OF VAMA-NAKARMA WITH MADANAPHALA VARTI AND MADANAPHALA AVALEHYA YOGA IN POLYCYSTIC OVARIAN SYNDROME (PCOS)

Polycystic ovarian syndrome is one of the most common endocrine disorders affecting women in their reproduc- tive age group and the most common cause of anovulatory infertility. It is characterized by the presence of men- strual irregularities, infertility, hirsutism, acne, hair loss, insulin resistance, hyperandrogenemia, central obesity and dyslipidemia with a higher risk of developing Diabetes mellitus, endometrial hyperplasia and cardiovascular diseases. It is important to treat these patients early to help them, deal with emotional stress caused by hirsutism, infertility, obesity that is often overlooked with PCOS. So early diagnosis and proper management can help socie- ty to control PCOS so that women can live a healthy, active life and avoid long term complications such as meta- bolic syndrome and cardiovascular disease. The present study has been done to evaluate the effect of Vamana karma with Madanapala Varti and Madanaphala Avalehya yoga in PCOS. Methodology: 40 patients suffering from PCOS. Group A-Vamana karma with MadanaphalaVarti Yoga, Group B - Vamana karma with Madan- aphalaAvalehyaYoga. Result And Conclusion. The test shows that the treatment is not significant in Group A when compared to Group B. Group A overall result is 28.87% and Group B overall result is 32.37%. Both groups showed mild improvement in features of PCOS both clinically and statistically. Keywords: PCOS, Artavakshaya, Vamankarma, Madanaphalavarti and MadanaphalaAvalehya yoga.

Effects of yoga on stress, fatigue, musculoskeletal pain, and the quality of life among employees of diamond industry: A new approach in employee wellness

BACKGROUND: Diamond industry employees often experience musculoskeletal pain, fatigue, and stress, contributing to a low quality of life (QoL). Yoga is an ancient discipline of mind-body practice Yoga has numerous health benefits. OBJECTIVE: This study investigated the efficacy of workplace yoga in improving stress, musculoskeletal pain, fatigue, and QoL among employees of the diamond industry. METHODS: One-hundred sixty-six employees of the diamond industry between the ages of 20 and 60 participated in the study. Participants were assigned to either yoga (n = 84) or waitlist (n = 82) groups. The yoga group received one hour of yoga, four days a week for three consecutive months. Participants in the waitlist group followed their daily routines. Musculoskeletal pain, fatigue, stress, and QoL were assessed at baseline and after three months. RESULTS: One-hundred fifty-five employees completed the study. The yoga group showed significant (p < 0.05) improvement in pain, perceived stress, fatigue, and QoL domains after three months compared to baseline. The waitlist group showed no significant improvement in any of the measures. In the post scores comparison between the groups revealed a significant difference between the groups. CONCLUSION: Workplace yoga found to be a useful, cost-effective and feasible intervention in improving stress, musculoskeletal pain, fatigues and quality of life among employees of the diamond industry. Yoga may be implemented in the workplace as a wellness program at the workplace.

Impact of 10-Min Daily Yoga Exercises on Physical and Mental Discomfort of Home-Office Workers During COVID-19

Objective Evaluate the effects of 10 min/day of yoga for 1 month on musculoskeletal discomfort and mood disturbance of home-office workers. Background The COVID-19 pandemic forced many people to switch to teleworking. The abrupt change from an office setting to an improvised home-office may negatively affect the musculoskeletal and emotional health of workers. By providing mental and physical exercises, yoga may be effective in reducing adverse effects. Method Fifty-four participants (42 women, 12 men) followed a 1-month yoga program, while 40 participants (26 women, 14 men) continued with their common work routine. The Cornell Musculoskeletal Discomfort Questionnaire was used to evaluate severity, interference with work and frequency of pain, and to obtain a total discomfort score for 25 body areas. Mood disturbance was evaluated with the Profile of Mood States questionnaire. Both groups completed both questionnaires, before and after the experimentation period. Results After 1 month, for the yoga group only, significant reductions were observed in the discomfort of eyes, head, neck, upper and lower back, right wrist, and hips/buttocks, as well as reductions in discomfort severity, frequency and interference for the neck, upper and lower back. Total mood disturbance was also significantly reduced for the yoga group only. No favorable changes occurred for the control group. Conclusion The yoga intervention program appears to reduce musculoskeletal discomfort and mood disturbance of home-office workers. Application Sedentary workers may benefit from 10 min/day of yoga during the workday to attenuate potential physical and emotional discomfort during the current pandemic and beyond.

Effect of Yoga on Performance and Physical Fitness in Cricket Bowlers

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.

Prophylactic Role of Mandukasan and OM Chanting Patients Who Survives with Diabetes

Diabetes Mellitus is one of the most chronic non-communicable diseases in the enire world. Yoga is an part of Indian culture which doing ancient times by our rishi munis. Nowadays science has been considered yoga for management of various diseases i.e. hypertension, diabetes, asthma. In this case study had been conducted to understand effect of yoga in type 2 diabetics. Yoga group were put through mandukasanasana and mandukasan with OM chanting for 40 days. Biochemical parameters was performed i.e. FBG, PPBG and HbA1C. It can be concluded that mandukasan with OM chanting has been helpful as an adjunct to medical therapy to minimize the biochemical parameters. Yoga therapy helpful for the status of diabetics in terms of reduction of drug doses, physical and mental alertness and prevention of various complications related to diabetes. Keywords: Mandukasan, OM Chanting, Diabetes

A Comparative Study on Oxygen Saturation, Breath Rate, Lung Parameters, Anxiety and Depression Level in Geriatric Population

Background: Ageing has been associated with multiple medical conditions mainly due to impaired immune mechanisms and deteriorating physiological reserves such as declining physical health, increased risk for mental and emotional problems, economic constraints, changing roles and changing lifestyles. Chronic psychological and physical illnesses among geriatrics were studied univocally. Hence present study aimed to compare the effect of yoga techniques and conventional exercises. Methods: 40 subjects participated in the form of group therapy based on the selection criteria. Yoga group received yogic Relaxation and pranayama (10 min each) and exercise group received supine rest and diaphragmatic breathing (10 min each) for four days per weeks continued for three months. Outcome measures were evaluated before the intervention and after three months of participation. Results: The Oxygen saturation in yoga group were 96.4±1.39 and 97.05±1.19, and in exercise group 96.7±1.45 and 97.7± 0.73 in pre and post assessment. The breath rates in yoga group were reduced to an average of 19.1 and 19.65 in exercise group after 3 months. The mean vital capacity (L/min), FEV1 (mL/sec), FVC (L/min) in yoga group after 3 months were 1.72 ± 0.2, 1.53 ± 0.17 and 1.47 ± 0.1 and in exercise group were 0.72 ± 0.13, 0.70 ± 0.13 and 0.69 ± 0.13 after the intervention. The mean anxiety and depression measured with HADS were 8.9 ± 0.8 & 7.45 ± 0.75 and 9.0 ± 0.72 & 7.9 ± 0.8 pre and post respectively in Yoga Group & Exercise Group. Conclusion: Yogic relaxation and pranayama is equally effective in supine rest and diaphragmatic breathing in improving oxygen saturation, breath rate, lung parameters and anxiety and depression in geriatrics.