Association between yoga, physiologic and psychologic health: A cross sectional study

Bethany Forseth; Michele Polfuss; Michael Brondino; Michael W Lawlor; Margaret J Beatka; Mariah J Prom; Janis Eells; Jeri-Ann Lyons

doi:10.1016/j.ctcp.2021.101350

Association between yoga, physiologic and psychologic health: A cross sectional study

Complement Ther Clin Pract. 2021 May:43:101350. doi: 10.1016/j.ctcp.2021.101350. Epub 2021 Mar 4.

Authors

Bethany Forseth¹, Michele Polfuss², Michael Brondino³, Michael W Lawlor⁴, Margaret J Beatka⁵, Mariah J Prom⁶, Janis Eells⁷, Jeri-Ann Lyons⁸

Affiliations

¹ College of Health Sciences, University of Wisconsin Milwaukee, 2400 E Hartford Ave, Milwaukee, WI, 53211, USA. Electronic address: bhanson4@kumc.edu.
² College of Nursing, University of Wisconsin Milwaukee, 1921 E Hartford Ave, Milwaukee, WI, 53211, USA; Department of Nursing Research, Children's Hospital of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, USA. Electronic address: mpolfuss@uwm.edu.
³ Helen Bader School of Social Welfare, University of Wisconsin Milwaukee, 2400 E Hartford Ave, Milwaukee, WI, 53211, USA. Electronic address: brondimj@uwm.edu.
⁴ Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine and Neuroscience Research Center, Medical College of Wisconsin, 9000 West Wisconsin Avenue, Milwaukee, WI, 53226, USA. Electronic address: mlawlor@mcw.edu.
⁵ Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine and Neuroscience Research Center, Medical College of Wisconsin, 9000 West Wisconsin Avenue, Milwaukee, WI, 53226, USA. Electronic address: mbeatka@mcw.edu.
⁶ Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine and Neuroscience Research Center, Medical College of Wisconsin, 9000 West Wisconsin Avenue, Milwaukee, WI, 53226, USA. Electronic address: maprom@mcw.edu.
⁷ College of Health Sciences, University of Wisconsin Milwaukee, 2400 E Hartford Ave, Milwaukee, WI, 53211, USA. Electronic address: jeells@uwm.edu.
⁸ College of Health Sciences, University of Wisconsin Milwaukee, 2400 E Hartford Ave, Milwaukee, WI, 53211, USA. Electronic address: jeri.lyons@unco.edu.

PMID: 33770740
DOI: 10.1016/j.ctcp.2021.101350

Abstract

Purpose: To compare markers of health associated with chronic diseases between yoga and non-yoga participants.

Methods: 30 participants were categorized as either: 1) "Yoga" engaging in yoga ≥2 times/week for ≥6 months, or 2) "Non-yoga" not engaging in yoga.

Results: Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) and Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II) scores were significantly different between the yoga and non-yoga groups (PSS: 8.0 vs. 17.5, respectively, p < 0.05; BDI-II: 1.0 vs. 5.5, respectively, p < 0.05). No significant differences were evident between groups for inflammatory markers nor Complex V of the mitochondrial electron transport chain. The erythrocyte sedimentation rate values differed between groups based on clinical cutoffs, with yoga participants categorized as normal (11.0 mm) and non-yoga above normal (21.5 mm).

Conclusion: This research supports that yoga participation is associated with lower PSS and BDI-II scores but does not support a relationship with markers of inflammation. Further research is warranted.

Keywords: Adiponectin; Alpha; C-reactive protein; Depression; Inflammation; Stress; Tumor necrosis factor.

MeSH terms

Cross-Sectional Studies
Depression / therapy
Humans
Inflammation
Meditation*
Yoga*