Priya Menon Priya Menon Scientific Media Editor at Curetalk

Restorative Yoga and Metabolic Syndrome: Study By Cohen et al.

restorative yoga

Restorative yoga helps to unwind and destress.

Metabolic syndrome is a precursor for chronic diseases like diabetes and cardiovascular disease. The study titled, ‘Restorative yoga in adults with metabolic syndrome: a randomized, controlled pilot trial’, aims at investigating whether restorative yoga benefits adults suffering from metabolic syndrome, who are mostly overweight and underactive. The authors of the study include B. E Cohen, A. A Chang, D. Grady, and A. M. Kanaya.

What is restorative yoga?

Restorative yoga deals with relaxing body in restful yoga asanas/poses. The rest provided helps the body rejuvenate and heal. The body is eased into postures and then props are used for allowing body to relax. This way a person can surrender to the pose.

Method:

  • 26 overweight and underactive men and women were randomized.
  • A 3-hour introduction class was rendered.
  • This was followed by classes twice a week for a period of 5 weeks
  • Subsequent to this, one class every week for 5 weeks was held.
  • Participants who received yoga intervention were asked to practice yoga 3 times a week outside class and monitor activity in a logbook.
  • Control group did not receive any yoga intervention.
  • Outcome was measured using the following parameters:
    • BMI
    • Waist circumference
    • Insulin sensitivity
    • Blood pressure
    • Plasma glucose
    • Plasma insulin
    • Triglycerides
    • HDL and LDL
    • Demographic information
    • Perceived stress (PSS)
    • Dietary information (using food frequency questionnaire)
    • Physical activity
    • Quality of life
    • Depression
    • Self rating of overall health using Likert scale

Results and Discussion

  • A trend towards improved blood pressure was observed in yoga group.
  • Well being, stress, and slight changes in weight and BMI were also part of yoga group evaluations.
  • However, no changes were detected in any of the serological measures of both groups.
  • Yoga group reported an increased sense of well being and improved energy levels.
  • There were no discernable changes in physical activity or diet.
  • Majority of participants found restorative yoga poses easy to follow.

The study had a small sample size that limited statistical power of the results. Restorative yoga seemed to be a feasible intervention for adults suffering from metabolic syndrome. The efficacy should be further studied in a larger randomized trial.

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  5. Community Based Yoga Classes For Type 2 Diabetes – Explorative Study On Feasibility Of Research By Skoro-Kondza et al.