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Byline: Raghavendra. Rao, H. Vadiraja, R. Nagaratna, K. Gopinath, Shekhar. Patil, Ravi. Diwakar, H. Shahsidhara, B. Ajaikumar, H. Nagendra Background: Studies have shown that distress and accompanying neuroendocrine stress responses [...]

Aim: To study the efficacy of Yoga as a supportive therapy modality to Ayurveda treatment in improving endocrine parameters and psychopathologies in PCOS. Methods: We selected 64 women with PCOS within the age range 18 to 40 years (mean age = 29.24 years) who visited to Ayurveda center to seek Ayurveda treatment for PCOS. Subjects were randomly assigned to two groups of 32 each in Ayurveda group-AY and Ayurveda + Yoga group- AY + Y respectively. Women who had had; medical history of uterine fibroids, endometriosis, pelvic inflammatory disease, tubal blockage and or had exposure to yoga practices in the past 2 years were excluded from the study. All the women in AY group received cleansing therapy based on Ayurveda pre-scription which was followed by oral herbal medication intake for three months. Women in AY + Y group received 3 months of yoga intervention 1 hr daily, 5 day/week for 3 months along with Ayurveda treatment. The assessment of the study was for endocrine variables, ovary mass and psychological states using perceived stress scale and hospital anxiety depression invent-tory, at the baseline and after 3 months. Results: In the AY + Y group a significant decrease was observed for 9 variables (1) prolactin (p = 0.003), 2) LH (p = 0.006), 3) testosterone (p = 0.003), 4) HbA1C (p = 0.006), 5) AMH (p = 0.004), 7) T4 (p = 0.001), 8) TSH (p = 0.035), 9) right ovary mass (p = 0.003). In AY Group significant reduction was found for 3 variables 1) AMH (p = 0.006), HbA1C (p = 0.003), T4 (p = 0.03). In the between group comparison A+Y group showed significantly greater reduction in HbA1C (p < 0.001) and TSH (p = 0.002), left (p = 0.04) and right (p = 0.006) ovary mass as compared to AY group. We noticed significant improvement in anxiety, depression, & perceived stress in Y+A group. Conclusion: The present study suggests that addition of yoga intervention to the herbal medication for PCOS have additional benefits compared to only herbal treatment. This study also suggest that combination of complimentary therapies have synergetic effects in management of PCOS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) is a metabolic condition characterized by chronic hyperglycemia. It is a highly prevalent medical problem across the globe and a leading cause of morbidity and mortality. Optimal blood glucose control is the primary goal of T2DM management. Yoga is a mind-body intervention found to be effective in various kinds of metabolic disorders including T2DM. Aim: This study intended to assess the impact of 3 months Integrated Yoga (IY) intervention on fasting and postprandial blood glucose level among patients with T2DM. Methods: Total 251 patients with T2DM within the age range of 30-60 years (with average age; 46.04 ± 14.02 years) were enrolled in the study. Participants were divided into a yoga group (n=137) and a control group (n=114). Subjects in the yoga group received IY intervention consisted of Asanas, Surynamaskara, Pranayama and meditation every day for one hour/day, 6 days in a week for three months. Control group subjects followed their daily routines. Subjects on insulin therapy, with diabetic complications, uncontrolled hypertension, under steroid medication, or previous exposure to any form of yoga were excluded from the study. Fasting and post-prandial blood glucose level were assessed before and after 3 months for both the groups. The results: Significant decrease in both fasting and postprandial blood glucose levels was observed in IY group after 3 months compared to baseline. No improvement was seen in the control group. Conclusion: IY intervention helps in controlling blood glucose levels among patients with T2DM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infected individuals frequently suffer from anxiety and depression. Depression has been associated with rapid decline in CD4 counts and worsened treatment outcomes in HIV-infected patients. Yoga has been used to reduce psychopathology and improve immunity. Aim: To study the effect of 1-month integrated yoga (IY) intervention on anxiety, depression, and CD4 counts in patients suffering from HIV-1 infection. Methods: Forty four HIV-1 infected individuals from two HIV rehabilitation centers of Manipur State of India were randomized into two groups: Yoga (n = 22; 12 males) and control (n = 22; 14 males). Yoga group received IY intervention, which included physical postures (asanas), breathing practices (pranayama), relaxation techniques, and meditation. IY sessions were given 60 min/day, 6 days a week for 1 month. Control group followed daily routine during this period. All patients were on anti-retroviral therapy (ART) and dosages were kept stable during the study. There was no significant difference in age, gender, education, CD4 counts, and ART status between the two groups. Hospital anxiety and depression scale was used to assess anxiety and depression, CD4 counts were measured by flow cytometry before and after intervention. Analysis of variance -- repeated measures was applied to analyze the data using SPSS version 10. Results: Within group comparison showed a significant reduction in depression scores (F [1, 21] =4.19, P < 0.05) and non-significant reduction in anxiety scores along with non significant increment in CD4 counts in the yoga group. In the control group, there was a non-significant increase in anxiety and depression scores and reduction in CD4 counts. Between-group comparison revealed a significant reduction in depression scores (F [1, 21] =5.64, P < 0.05) and significant increase in CD4 counts (F [1, 21] =5.35, P < 0.05) in the yoga group as compared to the control. Conclusion: One month practice of IY may reduce depression and improve immunity in HIV-1 infected adults. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a chronic autoimmune inflammatory spondyloarthropathy with unclear pathogenesis. The inflammatory pain in AS leads to restricted spinal mobility and significant disability. Yoga is a nonpharmacological intervention that has positive effects on various musculoskeletal-related problems. However, its role in AS is unknown., Objective: The present retrospective study assessed the efficacy of a two-week residential yoga intervention on spinal flexibility among AS patients., Methods: The records for 24 male AS patients within the age range 30 to 50 years (average age 38.3 ± 10.5 years) who underwent a two-week residential yoga retreat between 2015 and 2020 were obtained from a yoga center located in South India. Yoga intervention consisted of yoga postures, breathing practices, meditation, a healthy diet, and devotional sessions. Pre and Post data of the sit-and-reach test, blood pressure, heart rate, and symptom score were analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS)., Results: Compared to the baseline, the post scores of the sit-and-reach test, systolic blood pressure and heart rate were found to be significantly ( P < .05) lower. The symptom score and analgesic medication score also showed significant improvement after two-weeks compared to the baseline., Conclusion: This retrospective study indicates the positive impact of on and analgesic use among AS patients. However, additional studies using robust research designs are warranted., Competing Interests: The authors declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article., (© 2021 Indian Academy of Neurosciences (IAN).)

Aim: Breast cancer has become a pandemic with an ever-increasing incidence. Although better diagnostics and treatment modalities have reduced mortality, a large number of survivors face cancer and treatment-related long-term symptoms. Many survivors are taking up yoga for improving the quality of life (QoL). The present study attempts to evaluate predictors of psychological states in breast cancer survivors with long-term yoga experience., Materials and Methods: A case-control study recruited early breast cancer survivors, 30-65 years, completing treatment > 6 months before recruitment, and grouped them based on prior yoga experience (BCY, n = 27) or naïve (BCN, n = 25). Demography, cancer history, diet, exercise habits, and yoga schedule were collected and tools to assess stress, anxiety, depression, general health, and QoL were administered. Multivariate linear regression was done to identify predictors of psychological variables., Results: BCY had significantly lower stress, anxiety, depression, better general health, and QoL ( P < 0.001). Global QoL and trait anxiety were significantly predicted by Yoga practice; depression was predicted by yoga practice, annual income, and sleep quality; state anxiety was predicted by Yoga practice and income; and stress was predicted by Yoga practice and sleep quality., Conclusion: Results indicate that breast cancer survivors, doing yoga, have better psychological profiles and are able to deal with demanding situations better. The psycho-oncogenic model of cancer etiology suggests that a better psychological state in survival has the potential to improve prognosis and survival outcomes and Yoga may be a suitable practice for staying cancer-free for a longer time., Competing Interests: There are no conflicts of interest.

Background Parkinson's disease (PD), a progressive neurodegenerative disease, affects motor and nonmotor functions, leading to severe debility and poor quality of life. Studies have reported the beneficial role of yoga in alleviating the symptoms of PD; however, a validated yoga module for PD is unavailable. This study developed and validated an integrated yoga module(IYM) for PD. Methods The IYM was prepared after a thorough review of classical yoga texts and previous findings. Twenty experienced yoga experts, who fulfilled the inclusion criteria, were selected validating the content of the IYM. A total of 28 practices were included in the IYM, and each practice was discussed and rated as (i) not essential, (ii) useful but not essential, and (iii) essential; the content validity ratio (CVR) was calculated using Lawshe's formula. Results Data analysis revealed that of the 28 IYM practices, 21 exhibited significant content validity (cut-off value: 0.42, as calculated by applying Lawshe's formula for the CVR). Conclusions The IYM is valid for PD, with good content validity. However, future studies must determine the feasibility and efficacy of the developed module.