Therapeutic potential of yoga practices in modifying cardiovascular risk profile in middle aged men and women. Lipid profile of coronary risk subjects following yogic lifestyle intervention. The Influence of Yoga-Based Programs on Risk Profiles in Adults with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A Systematic Review Retardation of coronary atherosclerosis with yoga lifestyle intervention. Effect of a 16-week Bikram yoga program on heart rate variability and associated cardiovascular disease risk factors in stressed and sedentary adults: A randomized controlled trial Effect of exercise therapy on lipid profile and oxidative stress indicators in patients with type 2 diabetes Beneficial effects of yoga lifestyle on reversibility of ischaemic heart disease: caring heart project of International Board of Yoga. A yoga intervention for type 2 diabetes risk reduction: a pilot randomized controlled trial A randomized controlled pilot study of the therapeutic effects of yoga in people with Parkinson's disease Effects of yoga in patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation – a randomized controlled study Psychosocial and cardiac outcomes of yoga for ICD patients: a randomized clinical control trial. Effect of community-based yoga intervention on oxidative stress and glycemic parameters in prediabetes: a randomized controlled trial. Yoga lifestyle intervention reduces blood pressure in HIV-infected adults with cardiovascular disease risk factors. Impact of a 10 minute Seated Yoga Practice in the Management of Diabetes. Additional benefit of yoga to standard lifestyle modification on blood pressure in prehypertensive subjects: a randomized controlled study Yoga based cardiac rehabilitation after coronary artery bypass surgery: one-year results on LVEF, lipid profile and psychological states--a randomized controlled study. Lifestyle Modification in Blood Pressure Study II (LIMBS): study protocol of a randomized controlled trial assessing the efficacy of a 24 week structured yoga program versus lifestyle modification on blood pressure reduction.
AIMS OF STUDY To study effect of yoga on the physiological , psychological well being , psychomotor parameter and modifying cardiovascular risk factors in mild to moderate hypertensive patients . METHODS Twenty patients ( 16 males , 4 females ) in the age group of 35 to 55 years with mild to moderate essential hypertension underwent yogic practice s daily for one hour for three months . Biochemical , physiological and psychological parameters were studied prior and following period of three months of yoga practice s , biochemical parameters included , blood glucose , lipid profile , catecholmines , MDA , Vit . C cholinesterase and urinary VMA . Psychological evaluation was done by using personal orientation inventory and subjective well being . RESULTS Results showed decrease in blood pressure and drug score modifying risk factors , i.e. blood glucose , cholesterol and triglycerides decreased overall improvement in subjective well being and quality of life . There was decrease in VMA catecholamine , and decrease MDA level suggestive decrease sympathetic activity and oxidant stress . CONCLUSION Yoga can play an important role in risk modification for cardiovascular diseases in mild to moderate hypertension The effect of yogic lifestyle on the lipid status was studied in angina patients and normal subjects with risk factors of coronary artery disease . The parameters included the body weight , estimation of serum cholesterol , triglycerides , HDL , LDL and the cholesterol - HDL ratio . A baseline evaluation was done and then the angina patients and risk factors subjects were r and omly assigned as control  ( n = 41 ) and intervention ( yoga ) group ( n = 52 ) . Lifestyle advice was given to both the groups . An integrated course of yoga training was given for four days followed by practice at home . Serial evaluation of both the groups was done at four , 10 and 14 weeks . Dyslipidemia was a constant feature in all cases . An inconsistent pattern of change was observed in the control group of angina ( n = 18 ) and risk factor subjects ( n = 23 ) . The subjects practising yoga showed a regular decrease in all lipid parameters except HDL . The effect started from four weeks and lasted for 14 weeks . Thus , the effect of yogic lifestyle on some of the modifiable risk factors could probably explain the preventive and therapeutic beneficial effect observed in coronary artery disease There is growing evidence that yoga may offer a safe and cost-effective intervention for Type 2 Diabetes mellitus ( DM 2 ) . However , systematic review s are lacking . This article critically review s the published literature regarding the effects of yoga-based programs on physiologic and anthropometric risk profiles and related clinical outcomes in adults with DM 2 . We performed a comprehensive literature search using four computerized English and Indian scientific data bases . The search was restricted to original studies ( 1970–2006 ) that evaluated the metabolic and clinical effects of  yoga in adults with DM 2 . Studies targeting clinical population s with cardiovascular disorders that included adults with comorbid DM were also evaluated . Data were extracted regarding study design , setting , target population , intervention , comparison group or condition , outcome assessment , data analysis and presentation , follow-up , and key results , and the quality of each study was evaluated according to specific predetermined criteria . We identified 25 eligible studies , including 15 uncontrolled trials , 6 non-r and omized controlled trials and 4 r and omized controlled trials ( RCTs ) . Overall , these studies suggest beneficial changes in several risk indices , including glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity , lipid profiles , anthropometric characteristics , blood pressure , oxidative stress , coagulation profiles , sympathetic activation and pulmonary function , as well as improvement in specific clinical outcomes .  Yoga may improve risk profiles in adults with DM 2 , and may have promise for the prevention and management of cardiovascular complications in this population . However , the limitations characterizing most studies preclude drawing firm conclusions . Additional high- quality RCTs are needed to confirm and further eluci date the effects of st and ardized yoga programs in population s with DM 2 BACKGROUND Yoga has potential for benefit for patients with coronary artery disease though objective , angiographic studies are lacking . MATERIAL AND METHODS We evaluated possible role of lifestyle modification incorporating yoga , on retardation of coronary atherosclerotic disease . In this prospect i ve , r and omized , controlled trial , 42 men with angiographically proven coronary artery disease ( CAD ) were r and omized to control ( n = 21 ) and yoga intervention group ( n = 21 ) and were followed for one year . The active group was treated with a user-friendly program consisting of yoga , control of risk factors , diet control and moderate aerobic exercise . The control group was managed by conventional methods i.e. risk factor control and American Heart Association step I diet . RESULTS At one year , the yoga groups 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 as compared with control group . Revascularisation procedures ( coronary angioplasty or bypass surgery ) were less frequently required in the yoga group ( one versus eight patients ; relative risk = 5.45 ; P = 0.01 ) . Coronary angiography repeated at one 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 ) . The compliance to the total program was excellent and no side effects were observed . CONCLUSION Yoga lifestyle intervention retards progression and increases regression of coronary atherosclerosis in patients with severe coronary artery disease . It also improves symptomatic status , functional class and risk factor profile Background Chronic activation of the stress-response can contribute to cardiovascular disease risk , particularly in sedentary individuals . This study investigated the effect of a Bikram yoga intervention on the high frequency power component of heart rate variability ( HRV ) and associated cardiovascular disease ( CVD ) risk factors ( i.e. additional domains of HRV , hemodynamic , hematologic , anthropometric and body composition outcome measures ) in stressed and sedentary adults . Methods Eligible adults were r and omized to an experimental group ( n = 29 ) or a no treatment control group ( n = 34 ) . Experimental group participants were instructed to attend three to five supervised Bikram yoga classes per week for 16 weeks at local studios . Outcome measures were assessed at baseline ( week 0 ) and completion ( week 17 ) . Results Sixty-three adults ( 37.2 ± 10.8 years , 79 % women ) were included in the intention-to-treat analysis . The experimental group attended 27 ± 18 classes . Analyses of covariance revealed no significant change in the high-frequency component of HRV ( p = 0.912 , partial η2 = 0.000 ) or in any secondary outcome measure between groups over time . However , regression analyses revealed that higher attendance in the experimental group was associated with significant reductions in diastolic blood pressure ( p = 0.039 ; partial η2 = 0.154 ) , body fat percentage ( p = 0.001 , partial η2 = 0.379 ) , fat mass ( p = 0.003 , partial η2 = 0.294 ) and body mass index ( p = 0.05 , partial η2 = 0.139 ) . Conclusions A 16-week Bikram yoga program did not increase the high frequency power component of HRV or any other CVD risk factors investigated . As revealed by post hoc analyses , low adherence likely contributed to the null effects . Future studies are required to address barriers to adherence to better eluci date the dose-response effects of Bikram yoga practice as a medium to lower stress-related CVD risk . Trial registration Retrospectively registered with Australia New Zeal and Clinical Trials Registry ACTRN12616000867493 . Registered 04 July 2016 Background Yoga has been shown to be a simple and economical therapeutic modality that may be considered as a beneficial adjuvant for type 2 diabetes mellitus . This study investigated the impact of Hatha yoga and conventional physical training ( PT ) exercise regimens on biochemical , oxidative stress indicators and oxidant status in patients with type 2 diabetes . Methods This prospect i ve r and omized study consisted of 77 type 2 diabetic patients in the Hatha yoga exercise group that were matched with a similar number of type 2 diabetic patients in the conventional PT exercise and control groups . Biochemical parameters such as fasting blood glucose ( FBG ) , serum total cholesterol ( TC ) , triglycerides , low-density lipoprotein ( LDL ) , very low-density lipoproteins ( VLDL ) and high-density lipoprotein ( HDL ) were determined at baseline and at two consecutive three monthly intervals . The oxidative stress indicators ( malondialdehyde – MDA , protein oxidation – POX , phospholipase A2 – PLA2 activity ) and oxidative status [ superoxide dismutase ( SOD ) and catalase activities ] were measured . Results The concentrations of FBG in the Hatha yoga and conventional PT exercise groups after six months decreased by 29.48 % and 27.43 % respectively ( P < 0.0001 ) and there was a significant reduction in serum TC in both groups ( P < 0.0001 ) . The concentrations of VLDL in the managed groups after six months differed significantly from baseline values ( P = 0.036 ) . Lipid peroxidation as indicated by MDA significantly decreased by 19.9 % and 18.1 % in the Hatha yoga and conventional PT exercise groups respectively ( P < 0.0001 ) ; whilst the activity of SOD significantly increased by 24.08 % and 20.18 % respectively ( P = 0.031 ) . There was no significant difference in the baseline and 6 months activities of PLA2 and catalase after six months although the latter increased by 13.68 % and 13.19 % in the Hatha yoga and conventional PT exercise groups respectively ( P = 0.144 ) . Conclusion The study demonstrate the efficacy of Hatha yoga exercise on fasting blood glucose , lipid profile , oxidative stress markers and antioxidant status in patients with type 2 diabetes and suggest that Hatha yoga exercise and conventional PT exercise may have therapeutic preventative and protective effects on diabetes mellitus by decreasing oxidative stress and improving antioxidant status . Trial Registration Australian New Zeal and Clinical Trials Registry ( ANZCTR ) : OBJECTIVES Yoga based lifestyle modifications have been earlier shown to be beneficial in coronary artery disease in a small number of patients . We evaluated the role of lifestyle modification based on Yoga techniques , stress management and dietary modifications in retardation of coronary artery disease . METHODS This prospect i ve , controlled , open trial included angiographically proven coronary artery disease patients ( 71 patients in study group and 42 patients in control group ) . They were assessed clinical ly , by biochemical parameters , stress myocardial perfusion and function studies and coronary angiography and on psychological parameters . The study group patients were given a family based Yoga Programme which included , control of risk factors , dietary modifications and stress management for a period of one year . The patients were assessed at baseline , at frequent intervals and at the end of one year . RESULTS At the end of one year of yoga training , statistical significant changes ( P<0.05 ) were found in serum total cholesterol ( reduction by 23.3 % in study group patients as compared to 4.4 % in controls ) ; serum LDL cholesterol ( reduction of 26 % in study group patients as compared to 2.6 % in the control group ) , regression of disease ( 43.7 % of study group patients v/s 31 % control group on MPI and 70.4 % of study group v/s 28 % of control group on angiography ) arrest of progression ( 46.5 % study group v/s 33.3 % control group on MPI ) and progression ( 9.9 % of study group vs 35.7 % of controls on MPI , 29.6 % of study group v/s 60.0 % of controls on angiography ) . At the end of the study improvement in anxiety scores was concordant with the improvement seen in the MPI . No untoward effects of the therapy were observed . CONCLUSION Yoga based lifestyle modifications help in regression of coronary lesions and in improving myocardial perfusion . This is translated into clinical benefits and symptomatic improvement Background Type 2 diabetes is a major health problem in many countries including India .  Yoga may be an effective type 2 diabetes prevention strategy in India , particularly given its cultural familiarity . Methods This was a parallel , r and omized controlled pilot study to collect feasibility and preliminary efficacy data on yoga for diabetes risk factors among people at high risk of diabetes . Primary outcomes included : changes in BMI , waist circumference , fasting blood glucose , postpr and ial blood glucose , insulin , insulin resistance , blood pressure , and cholesterol . We also looked at measures of psychological well-being including changes in depression , anxiety , positive and negative affect and perceived stress . Forty-one participants with elevated fasting blood glucose in Bangalore , India were r and omized to either  yoga  ( n = 21 ) or a walking control ( n = 20 ) . Participants were asked to either attend yoga classes or complete monitored walking 3–6 days per week for eight weeks . R and omization and allocation was performed using computer-generated r and om numbers and group assignments delivered in sealed , opaque envelopes generated by off-site study staff . Data were analyzed based on intention to treat . Results This study was feasible in terms of recruitment , retention and adherence . In addition , yoga participants had significantly greater reductions in weight , waist circumference and BMI versus control ( weight −0.8 ± 2.1 vs. 1.4 ± 3.6 , p = 0.02 ; waist circumference −4.2 ± 4.8 vs. 0.7 ± 4.2 , p < 0.01 ; BMI −0.2 ± 0.8 vs. 0.6 ± 1.6 , p = 0.05 ) . There were no between group differences in fasting blood glucose , postpr and ial blood glucose , insulin resistance or any other factors related to diabetes risk or psychological well-being . There were significant reductions in systolic and diastolic blood pressure , total cholesterol , anxiety , depression , negative affect and perceived stress in both the yoga intervention and walking control over the course of the study . Conclusion Among Indians with elevated fasting blood glucose , we found that participation in an 8-week yoga intervention was feasible and result ed in greater weight loss and reduction in waist circumference when compared to a walking control . Yoga offers a promising lifestyle intervention for decreasing weight-related type 2 diabetes risk factors and potentially increasing psychological well-being . Trial registration Clinical Trials.gov Identified NCT00090506 Background : Exercise can be beneficial for cardiopulmonary , musculoskeletal or neurological systems , and other factors including mood , and may be beneficial in reducing fall risks , dementia and variables associated with quality of life ( QOL ) . Parkinson 's disease ( PD ) produces progressive motor and cognitive deterioration that may leave those inflicted unable to participate in st and ard exercise programs . Alternative forms of exercise such as yoga may be successful in improving physical function , QOL and physiological variables for overall well-being . Aim : This r and omized controlled pilot study investigated the effectiveness of yoga intervention on physiological and health-related QOL measures in people with PD . Methods and Material s : Thirteen people with stage 1 - 2 PD were r and omized to either a yoga ( n = 8) or a control group ( n = 5 ) . The yoga group participated in twice-weekly yoga sessions for 12 weeks . Participants were tested at baseline , and at 6 and 12 weeks using the Unified Parkinson 's Disease Rating Scale ( UPDRS ) , clinical measures of health-related QOL and physiological measures . Results : Significant improvement in UPDRS scores ( P = .006 ) , diastolic blood pressure ( P = 0.036 ) and average forced vital capacity ( P = 0.03 ) was noted in the yoga group over time . Changes between groups were also noted in two SF-36 subscales . Positive trends of improvement were noted in depression scores ( P = 0.056 ) , body weight ( P = 0.056 ) and forced expiratory volume ( P = 0.059 ) . Yoga participants reported more positive symptom changes including immediate tremor reduction . Conclusions : The results suggest that yoga may improve aspects of QOL and physiological functions in stages 1 - 2 PD . Future larger studies are needed to confirm and extend our findings of the effects of yoga in PD Background : Patients with atrial fibrillation often have an impaired quality of life ( QoL ) . Practising yoga may decrease stress and have positive effects on mental and physical health . The aim of this study was to investigate whether yoga can improve QoL and decrease blood pressure and heart rate in patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation ( PAF ) . Methods : In this pilot study , 80 patients diagnosed with PAF were r and omized to st and ard treatment ( control group , n=40 ) or st and ard treatment in combination with yoga ( yoga group , n=40 ) during a 12-week period . QoL , blood pressure and heart rate were evaluated at baseline and at the end of the study ( 12 ( + 2 ) weeks ) . EuroQoL-5D ( EQ-5D ) Visual Analogue Scale ( VAS ) and the two dimensions in Short-Form Health Survey ( SF-36 ) were used to evaluate QoL. Results : At baseline there was a significant difference in QoL between the groups in EQ-5D VAS- scale ( p=0.02 ) and SF-36 mental health score ( p<0.001 ) in which the control group had higher scores . At the end of the study , the yoga group averaged higher SF-36 mental health scores . There was a significant difference between the two groups ( p=0.016 ) , but no differences in EQ-5D VAS- scale and physiological health score was seen between the two groups . At the end of the study , the yoga group had significantly lower heart rate ( p=0.024 ) and systolic ( p=0.033 ) and diastolic blood pressure ( p<0.001 ) compared to the control group . Conclusions : Yoga with light movements and deep breathing may lead to improved QoL , lower blood pressure and lower heart rate in patients with PAF compared to a control group . Yoga could be a complementary treatment method to st and ard therapy BACKGROUND Because as many as 46 % of implantable cardioverter defibrillator ( ICD ) patients experience clinical symptoms of shock anxiety , this r and omized controlled study evaluated the efficacy of adapted yoga ( vs usual care ) in reducing clinical psychosocial risks shown to impact morbidity and mortality in ICD recipients . METHODS Forty-six participants were r and omized to a  control group  or an 8-week adapted yoga group  that followed a st and ardized protocol with weekly classes and home practice . Medical and psychosocial data were collected at baseline and follow-up , then compared and analyzed . RESULTS Total shock anxiety decreased for the yoga group and increased for the control group , t(4.43 , 36 ) , P < 0.0001 , with significant differences between these changes . Similarly , consequential anxiety decreased for the yoga group but increased for the control group t(2.86,36 ) P = 0.007 . Compared to the control , the yoga group had greater overall self-compassion , t(-2.84,37 ) , P = 0.007 , and greater mindfulness , t(-2.10,37 ) P = 0.04 , at the end of the study . Exploratory analyses utilizing a linear model ( R(2 ) = 0.98 ) of observed device-treated ventricular ( DTV ) events revealed that the expected number of DTV events in the yoga group was significantly lower than in the control group ( P < 0.0001 ) . Compared to the control , the yoga group had a 32 % lower risk of experiencing device-related firings at end of follow-up . CONCLUSIONS Our study demonstrated psychosocial benefits from a program of adapted yoga ( vs usual care ) for ICD recipients . These data support continued research to better underst and the role of complementary medicine to address ICD-specific stress in cardiac outcomes OBJECTIVES To study the effectiveness of yoga intervention on oxidative stress , glycemic status , blood pressure and anthropometry in prediabetes . DESIGN R and omized-controlled trial . PARTICIPANTS Twenty nine prediabetes subjects aged 30 - 75 years . SETTING Yoga was conducted at 4 different community diabetes clinics in Mangalore , India . INTERVENTIONS Participants were r and omized to either 3-month yoga or wait-list control groups . MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Malondialdehyde , glutathione , vitamin C , vitamin E , superoxide dismutase , plasma glucose , glycated haemoglobin , BMI , waist circumference , waist-to-hip ratio and blood pressure . RESULTS Yoga intervention result ed in a significant decline in malondialdehyde ( p<0.001 ) , relative to the control group . In comparison with the control , there was a significant improvement in BMI , waist circumference , systolic blood pressure and fasting glucose levels at follow-up . No significant improvement in glycated haemoglobin , waist-to-hip ratio or any of the antioxidants was observed . CONCLUSIONS Yoga intervention may be helpful in control of oxidative stress in prediabetes subjects . Yoga can also be beneficial in reduction in BMI , waist circumference , systolic blood pressure and fasting glucose . Effect of yoga on antioxidant parameters was not evident in this study . The findings of this study need to be confirmed in larger trials involving active control groups OBJECTIVE People living with HIV infection are at increased risk for developing cardiovascular disease ( CVD ) . Safe and effective interventions for lowering CVD risk in HIV infection are high priorities . We conducted a prospect i ve , r and omized , controlled study to evaluate whether a yoga lifestyle intervention improves CVD risk factors , virological or immunological status , or quality of life ( QOL ) in HIV-infected adults relative to st and ard of care treatment in a matched control group . METHODS Sixty HIV-infected adults with mild-moderate CVD risk were assigned to 20 weeks of supervised yoga practice or st and ard of care treatment . Baseline and week 20 measures were : 2-h oral glucose tolerance test with insulin monitoring , body composition , fasting serum lipid/lipoprotein profile , resting blood pressures , CD4 T-cell count and plasma HIV RNA , and the Medical Outcomes Study Short Form (SF)-36 health-related QOL inventory . RESULTS Resting systolic and diastolic blood pressures improved more ( P=0.04 ) in the yoga group ( -5 + /- 2 and -3 + /- 1 mmHg , respectively ) than in the st and ard of care group ( + 1 + /- 2 and + 2 + /- 2 mmHg , respectively ) . However , there was no greater reduction in body weight , fat mass or proatherogenic lipids , or improvements in glucose tolerance or overall QOL after yoga . Immune and virological status was not adversely affected . CONCLUSION Among traditional lifestyle modifications , yoga is a low-cost , simple to administer , nonpharmacological , popular behavioural intervention that can lower blood pressure in pre-hypertensive HIV-infected adults with mild-moderate CVD risk factors OBJECTIVE We sought to prospect ively evaluate the impact of a 10 minute seated yoga program added to st and ard comprehensive diabetes care on glucose control and cardiovascular health in the severely ill , medically complex diabetic population . METHOD A total of 10 patients with type 2 diabetes , ages 49 - 77 , with duration of diabetes > 10 years and haemoglobin A1C > 9 % ( 75 mmol/mol ) were included in the study . Patients r and omized to a yoga intervention were taught a 10 minute seated yoga practice , were given an explanatory DVD and a fold-out pocket guide to encourage adherence at home , and were instructed to incorporate the practice as often as they could . The patients in the control arm were provided information and h and outs on the available yoga classes on campus . RESULTS At 3 month clinical follow up , the mean decrease in fasting capillary blood glucose ( CBG ) was 45 % among yoga participants ( -5.2 ± 4.1 mmol/L ) . Heart rate ( HR ) dropped by 18 % and Diastolic blood pressure ( BP ) dropped by 29 % in the intervention arm , ( -12.4 ± 6.69 and -26 ± 12.05 mmHg , respectively ) . There were no statistically significant changes in the haemoglobin A1C , systolic blood pressure , weight , or body mass index in either group . CONCLUSION Our small pilot study reinforces the current medical evidence supporting the use of yoga , combined with st and ard care , to improve health outcomes in diabetes High blood pressure ( BP ) is a known risk factor for cardiovascular disease morbidity . Considering the growing evidence of nonpharmacological interventions in the management of high BP , we design ed a r and omized , parallel active-controlled study on the effect of yoga and st and ard lifestyle modification ( LSM ) on BP and heart rate in individuals with prehypertension ( systolic BP 120–139 mm Hg and /or diastolic BP 80–89 mm Hg ) . Volunteers ( 20–60 years ) of both genders without any known cardiovascular disease were r and omized into either LSM group ( n=92 ) or LSM+yoga group ( n=92 ) . Before the intervention , age , waist circumference , physical activity , BP and fasting plasma glucose and lipids were comparable between the groups . After 12 weeks of intervention , we observed a significant reduction in the BP and heart rate in both the groups . Further , the reduction in systolic BP was significantly more in LSM+yoga group ( 6 mm Hg ) as compared with LSM group ( 4 mm Hg ) . In addition , 13 prehypertensives became normotensives in LSM+yoga  group and four in LSM group . The results indicate efficacy of nonpharmacological intervention and the additional benefit of yoga to st and ard LSM . Further research in this field may add to the level of evidence on the benefit of yoga , in the reduction of BP in high BP subjects , in the scientific literature OBJECTIVE To compare the long term effects of yoga based cardiac rehabilitation program with only physiotherapy based program as an add-on to conventional rehabilitation after coronary artery bypass grafting ( CABG ) on risk factors . METHODS In this single blind prospect i ve r and omized parallel two armed active control study , 1026 patients posted for CABG at Narayana Hrudayalaya Institute of Cardiac Sciences , Bengaluru ( India ) were screened . Of these , 250 male participants ( 35 - 65 years ) who satisfied the selection criteria and consented were r and omized into two groups . Within and between group comparisons were done at three points of follow up ( i.e. 6th week , 6th month , and 12th month ) by using Wilcoxon 's signed ranks test and Mann Whitney U test respectively . RESULTS Yoga group had significantly ( p = 0.001 , Mann Whitney ) better improvement in LVEF than control group in those with abnormal baseline EF ( < 53 % ) after 1 year . There was a better reduction in BMI in the yoga group ( p = 0.038 , between groups ) in those with high baseline BMI ( ≥23 ) after 12 months . Yoga group showed significant ( p = 0.008 , Wilcoxon 's ) reduction in blood glucose at one year in those with high baseline FBS ≥110 mg/dl . There was significantly better improvement in yoga than the control group in HDL ( p = 0.003 ) , LDL ( p = 0.01 ) and VLDL ( p = 0.03 ) in those with abnormal baseline values . There was significantly better improvement ( p = 0.02 , between groups ) in positive affect in yoga group . Within Yoga group , there was significant decrease in perceived stress ( p = 0.001 ) , anxiety ( p = 0.001 ) , depression ( p = 0.001 ) , and negative affect ( p = 0.03 ) while in the control group there was reduction ( p = 0.003 ) only in scores on anxiety . CONCLUSION Addition of yoga based relaxation to conventional post-CABG cardiac rehabilitation helps in better management of risk factors in those with abnormal baseline values and may help in preventing recurrence Hypertension is a major public health issue affecting 68 million adults in the United States . Lifestyle modifications including complementary therapies such as the movement based mind body practice of yoga have become increasingly popular in the United States and have been considered as a potential alternative to medication in blood pressure reduction . We completed a pilot study in 2009 which showed meaningful decreases in 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure readings after a 12 week period of yoga participation . Based on data from our pilot study we are now completing The Lifestyle Modification and Blood Pressure Study ( LIMBS II ) which is a phase 2 r and omized controlled trial design ed to determine the effects of yoga therapy and enhanced lifestyle modification on lowering blood pressure in pre-hypertensive and stage 1 hypertensive subjects . Using 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure monitoring , LIMBS II aims to compare the effects on blood pressure reduction in subjects r and omized for 24 weeks to one of the three following groups : yoga therapy versus blood pressure education program ( sodium restriction and walking program ) versus a combination program that involves components of both groups . LIMBS II will also examine the impact that changes in blood pressure have on cerebral blood flow . If successful , the LIMBS study will determine if yoga therapy combined with enhanced lifestyle modification will result in clinical ly meaningful decreases in blood pressure and thus can be implemented as an alternative to drug therapy for patients with prehypertension and stage 1 hypertension
No significant difference was found between yoga and exercise .
Conclusions There is promising evidence of yoga on improving cardio-metabolic health .
Background Yoga , a popular mind-body practice , may produce changes in cardiovascular disease ( CVD ) and metabolic syndrome risk factors .