title: A randomised comparative trial of yoga and relaxation to reduce stress and anxiety.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To compare yoga and relaxation as treatment modalities at 10 and 16 weeks from study baseline to determine if either of modality reduces subject stress, anxiety, blood pressure and improve quality of life.
  
  
  METHODS
  A randomised comparative trial was undertaken comparing yoga with relaxation.
  
  
  METHODS
  One hundred and thirty-one subjects with mild to moderate levels of stress were recruited from the community in South Australia.
  
  
  METHODS
  Ten weekly 1- h sessions of relaxation or hatha yoga.
  
  
  METHODS
  Changes in the State Trait Personality Inventory sub-scale anxiety, General Health Questionnaire and the Short Form-36.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Following the 10 week intervention stress, anxiety and quality of life scores improved over time. Yoga was found to be as effective as relaxation in reducing stress, anxiety and improving health status on seven domains of the SF-36. Yoga was more effective than relaxation in improving mental health. At the end of the 6 week follow-up period there were no differences between groups in levels of stress, anxiety and on five domains of the SF-36. Vitality, social function and mental health scores on the SF-36 were higher in the relaxation group during the follow-up period.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Yoga appears to provide a comparable improvement in stress, anxiety and health status compared to relaxation.
authors.affiliation: Centre for Allied Health Evidence, School of Health Sciences, University of South Australia, Adelaide, Australia. caroline.smith@acnhw.com.au
authors.forename: Caroline
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.forename: Heather
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Hancock
authors.forename: Jane
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Blake-Mortimer
authors.forename: Kerena
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Eckert
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001007:Anxiety / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012064:Relaxation Therapy; D013021:South Australia; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000628:therapy*; D015013:Yoga