title: Efficacy of a short-term yoga-based lifestyle intervention in reducing stress and inflammation: preliminary results.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Previously it was shown that a brief yoga-based lifestyle intervention was efficacious in reducing oxidative stress and risk of chronic diseases even in a short duration. The objective of this study was to assess the efficacy of this intervention in reducing stress and inflammation in patients with chronic inflammatory diseases.
  
  
  METHODS
  This study reports preliminary results from a nonrandomized prospective ongoing study with pre-post design.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study was conducted at the Integral Health Clinic, an outpatient facility conducting these yoga-based lifestyle intervention programs for prevention and management of chronic diseases.
  
  
  METHODS
  Patients with chronic inflammatory diseases and overweight/obese subjects were included while physically challenged, and those on other interventions were excluded from the study.
  
  
  METHODS
  A pretested intervention program included asanas (postures), pranayama (breathing exercises), stress management, group discussions, lectures, and individualized advice.
  
  
  METHODS
  There was a reduction in stress (plasma cortisol and β-endorphin) and inflammation (interleukin [IL]-6 and tumor necrosis factor [TNF]-α) at day 0 versus day 10.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Eighty-six (86) patients (44 female, 42 male, 40.07 ± 13.91 years) attended this program. Overall, the mean level of cortisol decreased from baseline to day 10 (149.95 ± 46.07, 129.07 ± 33.30 ng/mL; p=0.001) while β-endorphins increased from baseline to day 10 (3.53 ± 0.88, 4.06 ± 0.79 ng/mL; p=0.024). Also, there was reduction from baseline to day 10 in mean levels of IL-6 (2.16 ± 0.42, 1.94 ± 0.10 pg/mL, p=0.036) and TNF-α (2.85 ± 0.59, 1.95 ± 0.32 pg/mL, p=0.002).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This brief yoga-based lifestyle intervention reduced the markers of stress and inflammation as early as 10 days in patients with chronic diseases; however, complete results of this study will confirm whether this program has utility as complementary and alternative therapy.
authors: Integral Health Clinic, Department of Physiology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India. raj3kr@gmail.com
authors: Raj Kumar
authors: RK
authors: Yadav
authors: Dipti
authors: D
authors: Magan
authors: Nalin
authors: N
authors: Mehta
authors: Ratna
authors: R
authors: Sharma
authors: Sushil Chandra
authors: SC
authors: Mahapatra
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001945:Breathing Exercises; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003376:Counseling; D005260:Female; D006126:Group Processes; D006266:Health Education; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000097:blood; D007249:Inflammation / Q000097:blood / Q000628:therapy*; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000097:blood; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D019122:Meditation; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000097:blood / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D012064:Relaxation Therapy; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000097:blood / Q000628:therapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000097:blood; D015013:Yoga; D001615:beta-Endorphin / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D015850:Interleukin-6; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D001615:beta-Endorphin; D006854:Hydrocortisone