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Five-week yin yoga-based interventions decreased plasma adrenomedullin and increased psychological health in stressed adults: A randomized controlled trial
PloS one
Short Title: PLoS One
Format: Journal Article
Publication Date: Nov 30, 2017
Pages: e0200518
Sources ID: 69791
Notes: LR: 20180729; ClinicalTrials.gov/NCT03428542; JID: 101285081; 2018/02/16 00:00 [received]; 2018/06/25 00:00 [accepted]; 2018/07/19 06:00 [entrez]; 2018/07/19 06:00 [pubmed]; 2018/07/19 06:00 [medline]; epublish
Visibility: Public (group default)
Abstract: (Show)
BACKGROUND: Non-communicable diseases (NCDs, e.g. cardiovascular disease) are responsible for high rates of morbidity and the majority of premature deaths worldwide. It is necessary to develop preventative interventions that can reduce the associated risk factors of NCDs. Researchers have found that the biomarker adrenomedullin (ADM) becomes elevated years before the onset of NCDs and might play an important role in their development. ADM has also been linked to psychological problems such as stress, anxiety, and depression, which are known risk factors of NCDs. In this randomized controlled trial, we examined whether participating in a five-week yoga intervention reduces ADM and increases psychological health in middle-aged adults who self-report as moderately to highly stressed, but who otherwise exhibit no physical complaints. METHODS: One hundred and five adults (78% women; mean age = 53.5, SD = 6.7) were randomly assigned to (1) a five-week Yin yoga intervention, (2) a five-week intervention combining Yin yoga with psychoeducation and mindfulness practice (called the YOMI program), or (3) a control group who did not practice yoga or mindfulness for five weeks. RESULTS: Compared to the control group, we observed significantly greater pre-post reductions in plasma ADM levels (p < .001), anxiety (p