Yoga Medical News Daily

Mindfulness-based yoga intervention improves sleep in pregnant women

This pilot study measured the effects of a mindfulness-based yoga intervention on sleep in pregnant women. Fifteen women in their second or third trimesters attended weekly mindfulness meditation and prenatal Hatha yoga classes for 7 weeks. Results showed that "women who began the intervention in the second trimester had significantly fewer awakenings, less wake time during the night, and less perceived sleep disturbance . . . . Those who began during the third trimester had poorer sleep over time in spite of the intervention . . . ." 

"Mindful yoga shows promise for women in their second trimester of pregnancy to diminish total number of awakenings at night and improve sleep efficiency and merits further exploration. Results from this pilot study provide the data to estimate sample size and design and implement powered and more controlled studies in the future."  Abstract: PubMed PMID: 20338897.  "Effects of mindful yoga on sleep in pregnant women: a pilot study," by Beddoe AE, Lee KA, Weiss SJ, Kennedy HP, Yang CP, Biological Research for Nursing [2010 Apr;11(4):363-70]

Yoga improves sleep quality among assisted-living residents

Published in the Journal of Nursing Research, this study investigated "the effects of a 6-month yoga exercise program in improving sleep quality and decreasing depression in transitional frail elders living in assisted living facilities." Using a quasi-experimental pretest-and-posttest design, 69 elderly assisted living facilities residents were divided randomly into a yoga exercise group and a control group based on residence location. Fifty five participants completed the study. For the intervention three small groups were created with each practice group led by pretrained certified yoga instructors three times per week for seventy minutes per session for twenty-four weeks. 

The study revealed that after "six months of performing yoga exercises, participants' overall sleep quality had significantly improved, whereas depression, sleep disturbances, and daytime dysfunction had decreased significantly."  The researchers "recommended that yoga exercise be incorporated as an activity program in assisted living facilities or in other long-term care facilities to improve sleep quality and decrease depression in institutionalized elders."  Abstract PubMed PMID: 20220611: "Effects of yoga on sleep quality and depression in elders in assisted living facilities," by Chen KM, Chen MH, Lin MH, Fan JT, Lin HS, Li CH, Journal of Nursing Research : JNR [2010 Mar;18(1):53-61]

Effects of Tibetan Yoga on Fatigue and Sleep in Cancer

Clinical trial currently seeking participants. Location: U.T.M.D. Anderson Cancer Center Recruiting, Houston, Texas. Purpose: The proposed study will assess the physical and psychological benefits of a Tibetan yoga (TY) program for women with breast cancer undergoing chemotherapy. Patients with breast cancer who are scheduled to undergo neoadjuvant or adjuvant chemotherapy will be randomly assigned to a TY group, stretching group (SG) or a usual care (UC) group. Outcomes: To learn if participating in a Tibetan yoga program helps to improve quality of life for women during treatment for or recovery from breast cancer; and To find whether the yoga program helps to improve sleep, lung function, and physical therapy, based on outcomes. Inclusion Criteria: Women with stage I-III breast cancer who are undergoing neoadjuvant or adjuvant chemotherapy weekly for 12 weeks followed by four cycles of an anthracycline-based treatment every 21 days or six to eight cycles of chemotherapy every 21 days; 18 years of age or older; Able to read, write and speak English;. Able to come to UTMDACC for intervention and assessment sessions. Details: ClinicalTrials,gov.

Subjective Sleep Quality and hormonal modulation in long-term yoga practitioners

"Yoga represents a fascinating mind-body approach, wherein body movements (asana), breathing exercises (pranayama) and meditation are integrated into a single multidimensional practice. Numerous beneficial mental and physical effects have been classically ascribed to this holistic ancient method. The purpose of the present study has been to examine the effects of long-term yoga practice on Subjective Sleep Quality (SSQ) and on several hormonal parameters of the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis." The study concluded "that long-term yoga practice is associated with significant psycho-biological differences, including better sleep quality as well as a modulatory action on the levels of cortisol. These preliminary results suggest interesting clinical implications which should be further researched." Biological Psychology, (2009 July;81(3):164-8). Abstract: PubMed.