Research Area
Yoga-based interventions decreased plasma adrenomedullin and increased psychological
Research Title
Five-week yin yoga-based interventions decreased plasma adrenomedullin and increased psychological health
Introduction
Non-communicable diseases (NCDs), especially cardiovascular disease (CVD) and cancer, are responsible for high morbidity rates and the majority of deaths worldwide. Besides well known preventative interventions recommended in the healthcare system, such as smoking cessation, improved dietary habits, and increased physical activity , practicing yoga has been the subject of recent interest as a possible way of improving the risk factors associated with NCDs; accordingly, medical professionals are debating whether yoga practice should be included in future health recommendations. In this study, we examined the effects of two Yin yoga-based interventions on the vasoactive peptide adrenomedullin (ADM) and common psychological risk factors of NCDs, including stress, anxiety, depression, and insomnia
Abstract
Non-communicable diseases (NCDs, e.g. cardiovascular disease) are responsible for high rates of morbidity and the majority of premature deaths worldwide. It is necessary to develop preventative interventions that can reduce the associated risk factors of NCDs. Researchers have found that the biomarker adrenomedullin (ADM) becomes elevated years before the onset of NCDs and might play an important role in their development. ADM has also been linked to psychological problems such as stress, anxiety, and depression, which are known risk factors of NCDs. In this randomized controlled trial, we examined whether participating in a five-week yoga intervention reduces ADM and increases psychological health in middle-aged adults who self-report as moderately to highly stressed, but who otherwise exhibit
no physical complaints.
Conclusion
The five-week Yin yoga-based interventions appeared to reduce both the physiological and
psychological risk factors known to be associated with NCDs. The study suggests that incorporating Yin yoga could be an easy and low-cost method of limiting the negative health effects associated with high stress.
