Yoga Medical News Daily

Yoga Medical News Daily's Mindfulness Index makes its debut

According the the Oxford English Dictionary, mindfulness is "The state of being mindful . . . the meditative state of being both fully aware of the moment and of being self conscious of and attentive to this awareness . . . ." 

The YMN Daily's Mindfulness Index begins with that definition and moves on to include consciousness of our world, our pleasures, our foibles. 

The Happy Planet Index 2.0 scoring 143 countries

Costa Rica the happiest:  #1

Brazil: #9

Netherlands:  #43

United States:  #114 

Zimbabwe the least happy: #143

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YoPlay: Yoga based play therapy as a model of early intervention for inner city children at risk

This doctoral dissertation by Shannon Price, completed at the Massachusetts School of Professional Psychology (2008), proposed "an early intervention strategy using a yoga-based play therapy model for inner city, economically disenfranchised children. The intention is that through secondary prevention, the YoPlay training program will help to mitigate the adverse impact of poverty, trauma and stress on the developing child by encouraging the use of movements that incorporate the mind and the body to improve self-regulation, self-esteem, coping strategies, social skills and socio-emotional growth. . . . Research on the YoPlay training indicated an increased enthusiasm, playfulness and invigoration in the teachers. In addition, teachers reported that the YoPlay program helped children calm down, re-group, and get in touch with their bodies and emotions. By partnering with key childcare providers, the YoPlay program aims to foster the healthy development of young, at-risk children so they may reach their full potential and become productive, joyful adults with big dreams and the resilience to pursue them." Abstract

Yoga, exercise and the prostate - two studies

These two extensive studies — one very recent — mention yoga as an exercise option, along with running, walking, tennis, etc., within their discussion of the relationship between prostate health and exercise; and suggest the need for future larger-scale studies. "Changes in prostate gene expression in men undergoing an intensive nutrition and lifestyle intervention," by Dean Ornish and others in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America (2008 Jun 17;105(24):8369-74) describes "a pilot study to examine changes in prostate gene expression in a unique population of men with low-risk prostate cancer who declined immediate surgery, hormonal therapy, or radiation and participated in an intensive nutrition and lifestyle intervention while undergoing careful surveillance for tumor progression. Consistent with previous studies, significant improvements in weight, abdominal obesity, blood pressure, and lipid profile were observed (all P < 0.05), and surveillance of low-risk patients was safe. . . . Intensive nutrition and lifestyle changes may modulate gene expression in the prostate. . . Larger clinical trials are warranted to confirm the results of this pilot study." Full-text of article.  And the more recent article: "Exercise and prostate cancer risk in a cohort of veterans undergoing prostate needle biopsy,"  Journal of Urology, (2009 Nov;182(5):2226-31), examined "exercise and cancer risk among men undergoing prostate needle biopsy" with the results of the study providing "the first evidence of an association between exercise and prostate cancer risk as well as grade at diagnosis in men scheduled to undergo prostate biopsy. Specifically moderate exercise was associated with a lower risk of prostate cancer and in men with cancer, lower grade disease."  Abstract: PubMed.  See also the Duke Comprehensive Cancer Center News Release.

The efficacy of a comprehensive lifestyle modification programme based on yoga in the management of bronchial asthma: [the results of] a randomized controlled trial

BMC Pulmonary Medicine, (2009, 9:37). "METHODS: The present randomized controlled trial (RCT) was conducted on 57 adult subjects with mild or moderate bronchial asthma who were allocated randomly to either the yoga (intervention) group (n = 29) or the wait-listed control group (n = 28). The control group received only conventional care and the yoga group received an intervention based on yoga, in addition to the conventional care. The intervention consisted of 2-wk supervised training in lifestyle modification and stress management based on yoga followed by closely monitored continuation of the practices at home for 6-wk." . . . "CONCLUSION: The present RCT has demonstrated that adding the mind-body approach of yoga to the predominantly physical approach of conventional care results in measurable improvement in subjective as well as objective outcomes in bronchial asthma. The trial supports the efficacy of yoga in the management of bronchial asthma. However, the preliminary efforts made towards working out the mechanism of action of the intervention have not thrown much light on how yoga works in bronchial asthma."  Abstract: PubMed. Abstract and full text of article: BMC Pulmonary Medicine.

Yoga and diabetes self-management: The mind-body connection

This doctoral dissertation by Mary Rebecca Taylor, University of Washington (2009), explored "the relation of diabetes self-management and yoga practice from the perspective of adults living with type 2 diabetes. The study aims were to: (a) describe the experience and perceived therapeutic effect of practicing yoga on diabetes self- management, (b) identify perceived facilitators and barriers to regular yoga practice in the context of diabetes self-management, and (c) explore yoga instructors' understanding of diabetes and beliefs about the therapeutic benefits of practicing yoga. . . .  Results. Twenty-six adult yoga students with type 2 diabetes and ten yoga instructors were recruited and enrolled. Students perceived improvement in the following outcomes: physical fitness, physical and mental relaxation, stress tolerance, self-awareness, coping skills, social support, and sense of well-being. Factors that effected yoga practice were cost, convenience, time, responsibilities, health status, and instructor's attitude. Instructors integrated concepts from biomedicine and yoga philosophy to understand diabetes. Instructors believed that yoga promoted physical and mental balance, an attitude of nonjudgmental self-awareness, increased self-efficacy and better health-related choices." Abstract and full-text PDF for download: PQDT Open.

Alternative mind-body therapies used by adults with medical conditions

This article from the Journal of Psychosomatic Research (2009 Jun;66(6):511-9) states that "Mind-body therapies (MBT) are used by 16.6% of adults in the United States. Little is known about the patterns of and reasons for use of MBT by adults with common medical conditions. METHODS: We analyzed data on MBT use from the 2002 National Health Interview Survey Alternative Medicine Supplement (n=31,044). MBT included relaxation techniques (deep breathing exercises, guided imagery, meditation, and progressive muscle relaxation), yoga, tai chi, and qigong. To identify medical conditions associated with use of MBT overall and of individual MBT, we used multivariable models adjusted for sociodemographic factors, insurance status, and health habits. Among users of MBT (n=5170), we assessed which medical conditions were most frequently treated with MBT, additional rationale for using MBT, and perceived helpfulness. RESULTS: We found a positive association between MBT use and several medical conditions including various pain syndromes and anxiety/depression. Among adults using MBT to treat specific medical conditions, MBT was most commonly used for anxiety/depression and musculoskeletal pain syndromes. More than 50% of respondents used MBT in conjunction with conventional medical care, and 20% used MBT for conditions they thought conventional medicine would not help. Overall, we found high rates (68-90%) of perceived helpfulness of MBT for specific medical conditions." Abstract: PubMed.  Photo credit: LocalFitness.com.au

Yoga medical research: past, present, future

  There are now several articles that describe the status of research done on the medical benefits of yoga. One of the most comprehensive is by S.B. Khalsa ["Yoga as a therapeutic intervention: a bibliometric analysis of published research studies," Indian Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology (2004 Jul;48(3):269-85) Abstract: PubMed. Fulltext: Journal Archives. ] who points out that ". . .  for the time period 1973 to 1989, the number of Indian and U.S. published RCT's [randomized controlled trials] was 11 and 2, respectively. From 1990 to 2004 the number of Indian-based studies was 21, a two-fold increase, whereas the number of U.S. studies was 16, an eight-fold increase." Focusing on a select number of studies and looking forward from a public health perspective, Laci Scott in "Yoga off the mat: How far and to whom do the benefits extend?" (M.P.H. thesis, The University of Texas School of Public Health, 2008 Abstract], suggests that "Future research should seek to increase sample size, to diversify recruitment to allow for the randomization of treatment and control groups, and to allow for long-term follow-up." 

Another study that deals less with the medical details and more with historical aspects is Elizabeth De  
Michelis's very perceptive, richly documented overview "A Preliminary survey of modern yoga studies," Asian Medicine (2007; 3, issue 1:1-19). De Michelis points out that "The 'medicalisation' of yoga, and its dialogue with science, started in the 1920's in India . . . ." and carries her discussion forward to the present.

What might future yoga medical research ideally encompass? There are many variables - funding being the most obvious. But the trajectory for more comprehensive, focused yoga medical studies is already evident. YMN Daily suggests a likely scenario for future yoga research done in the U.S.: (1) longer-term clinical trials involving larger randomized treatment and control groups; (2) greater "customization" of research approaches to fit the condition (already seen in studies relating to diabetes and osteoporosis); and likewise (3) more "customization" of treatment. More subtle gradations are now appearing that focus on specific approaches (Iyengar, Ashtanga) or asanas. 

Yoga for menopausal symptoms: a systematic review

This review, published in Menopause, Journal of the North American Menopause Society (2009, May-June; 16 (3): 602-8), assessed "the effectiveness of yoga as a treatment option for menopausal symptoms" by searching "the literature using 14 databases from their inception to July 2008 and included all types of clinical studies regardless of their design. The methodological quality of all studies was assessed using a modified Jadad score."  . . . "CONCLUSION: The evidence is insufficient to suggest that yoga is an effective intervention for menopause. Further research is required to investigate whether there are specific benefits of yoga for treating menopausal symptoms." Abstract: PubMed.

Efficacy and tolerability of yoga breathing in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: a pilot study

"PURPOSE: Yoga-derived breathing has been reported to improve gas exchange in patients with chronic heart failure and in participants exposed to high-altitude hypoxia. We investigated the tolerability and effect of yoga breathing on ventilatory pattern and oxygenation in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). . . . CONCLUSION: We conclude that short-term training in yoga is well tolerated and induces favorable respiratory changes in patients with COPD."  Journal of Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation and Prevention (2009 March-April;29(2):133-7).  Abstract: PubMed.

Poor trunk flexibility is associated with arterial stiffening

This article in American Journal of Physiology. Heart and Circulatory Physiology (2009, October; 297(4): H1314-8), by Kenta Yamamoto, Hiroshi Kawano, Yuko Gando, Mitsuru Higuchi, Motoyuki Iemitsu, Haruka Murakami, Michiya Tanimoto, Yumi Ohmori, Izumi Tabata, Motohiko Miyachi, and Kiyoshi Sanada, points out that "Flexibility is one of the components of physical fitness as well as cardiorespiratory fitness and muscular strength and endurance. Flexibility has long been considered a major component in the preventive treatment of musculotendinous strains. . . . Using a cross-sectional study design, we tested the hypothesis that a less flexible body would have arterial stiffening. A total of 526 adults, 20 to 39 yr of age (young), 40 to 59 yr of age (middle-aged), and 60 to 83 yr of age (older), participated in this study. Subjects in each age category were divided into either poor- or high-flexibility groups on the basis of a sit-and-reach test. Arterial stiffness was assessed by brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV). . . . In young subjects, there was no significant difference between the two flexibility groups. A stepwise multiple-regression analysis (n = 316) revealed that among the components of fitness (cardiorespiratory fitness, muscular strength, and flexibility) and age, all components and age were independent correlates of baPWV. These findings suggest that flexibility may be a predictor of arterial stiffening, independent of other components of fitness." [The following is a quote from text of article] " . . . we believe that flexibility exercise such as stretching, yoga and pilates would be integrated as new recommendation into the known cardiovascular benefit of regular exercise. However, although the present results are the first to provide evidence demonstrating that poor flexibility is associated with greater age-related arterial stiffening, the present cross-sectional study provided only associations among age, flexibility, and arterial stiffness. Intervention study is also needed to determine the cause-and-effect relationship between flexibility and arterial stiffness." See also news release from the American Physiological Society: A Simple Way for Middle Aged and Older Adults to Assess How Stiff their Arteries Are: Reach for Their Toes.  Abstract: PubMed.

On October 22, YMN Daily contacted Dr. Kenta Yamamoto, who generously agreed to offer some additional insights:

"I think that autonomic nerves system is key point of mechanisms responsible for the relationship between flexibility and arterial stiffness.

I have a hypothesis that stretching exercise would change autonomic nerves system toward relaxing, resulting in a decrease in arterial stiffness.

If that is true, yoga also will contribute to reducing age-related arterial stiffening.

We are doing a stretching intervention study now."

- Kenta Yamamoto