Research Database -
International Updates

Yoga and Meditation

Issue 91

RAUB, National Center for Environmental Assessment, Research Triangle Park, NC 27711, USA, raub.james@epa.gov, has reviewed (75 references) the psychophysiological effects of Hatha Yoga on fitness parameters.
Abstract: Yoga is increasingly popular as a means of exercise and fitness training. However it needs to be recognized more by health care professionals for a complement to conventional medical care rather than just a trendy leisure activity. Over the last 10 years, research studies have shown that the practice of Hatha Yoga improves strength and flexibility and may help control such parameters as blood pressure, respiration and heart rate, and metabolic rates. A summary of medically substantiated information about the health benefits of Yoga for healthy people and also for people with musculoskeletal or cardiac problems is provided.
Raub JA. Psychophysiologic effects of Hatha Yoga on musculoskeletal and cardiopulmonary function: a literature review. The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine 8 (6): 797-812, Dec 2002.

Issue 71

MANCHANDA and colleagues, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India, evaluated the possible role of lifestyle modification incorporating yoga on retardation of coronary artery disease (CAD).
Background: Yoga has potential for benefit for patients with CAD. However, objective angiographic studies are lacking.
Methods: In this prospective, controlled clinical trial, 42 men with angiographically proven CAD were randomized to control (n=21) or yoga (n=21) intervention and were followed for 1 year. The active group was treated with a user-friendly programme consisting of yoga, control of risk factors, diet control and moderate aerobic exercise. The control group was managed by conventional methods (risk factor control and American Heart Association step I diet).
Results: At 1 year, the yoga group showed significant reduction in number of anginal episodes per week, improved exercise capacity and decrease in body weight. Serum total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol and triglyceride levels also showed greater reductions in comparison with the control group. Revascularization procedures (coronary angioplasty or bypass surgery) were less frequently required in the yoga group (one versus eight patients; RR, 5.45; p=0.01). Coronary angioplasty repeated at 1 year showed that significantly more lesions regressed (20% versus 2%) and less lesions progressed (5% versus 37%) in the yoga group (chi-square, 24.9; p<0.0001). Compliance to the total programme was excellent. No side effects were reported.
Conclusion: Yoga lifestyle intervention retards progression and increases regression of coronary atherosclerosis in patients with severe CAD. It also improves symptomatic status, functional class and risk factor profile.
Manchanda SC et al. Retardation of coronary atherosclerosis with yoga lifestyle intervention. The Journal of the Associations of Physicians of India 48: 687-94. Jul 2000.

Issue 69

YARDI, Yardi Epilepsy Clinic, Kothrud, Pune, India, nyardi@hotmail.com, reviewed literature on yoga in relation to epilepsy and related conditions and relevant physiological parameters and quality-of-life (QoL) issues.
Background: Yoga alleviates stress, induces relaxation and provides multiple health benefits to practitioners. Commonly practised methods include controlled deep breathing, physical postures, meditation and philosophical ideas in varying proportions.
Methods: The author reviews articles related to yoga and epilepsy, seizures, electroencephalogram (EEG) recordings, autonomic changes, neuropsychology, the limbic system, arousal, sleep, brain plasticity, motor performance, brain imaging studies and rehabilitation.
Conclusion: There is a lack of randomized, blinded, controlled studies related to yoga and seizure control. The author suggests that a multicentre, cross-cultural, preferably blinded (although difficult for yoga), well-randomized, controlled trial (especially using a single yogic technique in a homogeneous population such as juvenile myoclonic epilepsy) is justified, in order to evaluate how yoga affects seizure control and QoL in persons with epilepsy.
Yardi N. Yoga for control of epilepsy. Seizure 10 (1): 7-12. Jan 2001.

RAMARATNAM, Apollo Hospital, Madras, 600006, India, rsridharan@vsnl.com, examines methodological issues that might be encountered in designing and conducting a randomized, controlled trial of the efficacy of yoga in the treatment of epilepsy. The author highlights issues relating to patient selection, randomization, blinding, type of intervention, outcome measures and analysis.
Ramaratnam S. Yoga for epilepsy: methological issues. Seizure 10 (1): 3-6. Jan 2001.

Issue 58

BERA, GORE and OAK, Scientific Research Department, Kaivalyadhama SMYM Samiti, Lonavla described recovery from stress in two different postures and in a yogic relaxation posture.
Results: The recovery from induced physiological stress in Shavasana (a yogic relaxation posture) and two other postures (resting in chair and resting supine posture) was compared, Twenty one males and 6 females (21-30yrs) were allowed to take a rest in one of the above postures immediately after completing a scheduled treadmill running. The recovery was assessed in terms of heart rate (HR) and blood pressure (BP). HR and BP were measured before and every two minutes after the treadmill running until they returned to the initial level. The results revealed that the effects of stress was reversed in significantly shorter time in Shavasan, compared to the resting posture in chair and in a supine posture.
Bera TK et al. Recovery from stress in two different postures and in Shavasana- a yogic relaxation posture. Indian Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology 42(4): 473-8. Oct 1998.

ELIAS, GUICH and WILSON, Department of Medicine, University of California at Irvine, California 92868, USA described how ketosis with enhanced GABAergic tone promotes physiological changes in transcendental meditation.
Discussion: Transcendental meditation (TM) is a stylized form of physical and mental relaxation which is associated with changes in the secretion and release of several pituitary hormones. The hormonal changes induced by TM mimic the effects of the inhibitory neurotransmitter gamma aminobutyric acid (GABA). It is hypthesized that TM produces changes in pituitary hormone secretion by enhancing hypothalmic GABAergic tone as a result of TM associated ketosis. Ketosis enhances the entry of glutamate available for conversion to GABA through the glutamate decarboxylase pathway.
Elias AN et al. Ketosis with enhanced GABAergic tone promotes physiological changes in transcendental meditation. Medical Hypotheses 54(4): 660-2. Apr 2000.