Siwei Jianghuang Decoction Powder (SWJH) documented originally in the Four Medical Tantras-Blue Glaze exhibited beneficial effects on diabetic nephropathy (DN) via combined synergistically action of multiple formula components including Curcumae longae Rhizoma, Berberidis dictyophyllae Cortex, Phyllanthi Fructus and Tribuli Fructus. This study investigated the effects of SWJH on DN in db/db mice and possible underlying mechanisms. The ten weeks old db/db mice treated with SWJH by intra-gastric administration once a day for 8 weeks. After 8 weeks, body weight, water and food intake of mice were recorded. The level of fasting blood glucose (FBG) was measured. Serum creatinine (Scr), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), urine microalbumin (UMAlb), serum uric acid (UA) and urinary albumin excretion (UAE) were detected. An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was performed to test serum vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1). Real-time PCR and Western blot analysis were used to test mRNA and protein expression of hypoxia inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α), VEGF and TGF-β1 in kidney tissue. SWJH treatment significantly reduced the levels of FBG, Scr, BUN, UMAlb, UA and UAE and retarded renal fibrosis. SWJH treatment further significantly reduced serum TGF-β1 level and downregulated the expression of HIF-1α, VEGF and TGF-β1 at both mRNA and protein levels. Principal component analysis and partial least squares regression and hierarchical cluster analysis demonstrated that SWJH treatment significantly ameliorated renal damage in DN mice. These consequences suggested that SWJH formulations were effective in the treatment of DN through regulating the HIF-1α, VEGF and TGF-β1 overexpression.
Air pollution is a serious global health problem nowadays. So, it is an emergency to pay sufficient attention to treat and prevent the diseases caused by air pollution, especially respiratory disease and lung damage. Cladina rangiferina (L.) Nyl. is an edible lichen that has been used in medicinal diets to treat respiratory and other diseases for over 500 years. In this study, a water-soluble polysaccharide, CRWP-P, was obtained from C. rangiferina by hot-water extraction, freeze-thawing separation, and Fehling reagent purification. Structural analysis showed that CRWP-P is a linear α-(1 → 3),(1 → 4)-d-glucan without branches. Its Mw was determined to be 1.05 × 105 Da. Its (1,3)-α-d-glucopyranosyl: (1,4)-α-d-glucopyranosyl ratio is approximately 1:2. Antioxidant activity assay showed that C. rangiferina polysaccharides, especially CRWP-P, had appreciable DPPH radical-scavenging activity and reducing power. Notably, they could effectively decrease cell breakdown and ROS generation, inhibit lipid peroxidation, increase key antioxidase activity, and promote glutathione redox cycling in Pb2+-oxidative injured A549 alveolar epithelium cells. Overall, the results of this study indicated that C. rangiferina polysaccharides, especially CRWP-P, have the potential to be natural antioxidants for the treatment of lung oxidative damage induced by lead of air pollutants.
Purpose. To examine the effects of a Tai Chi Chung (TCC) program, an efficiency approach, on anxiety and cardiovascular risk factors. Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) reDesign. A quasi-experimental study. main the leading cause of morbidity Setting. A community in Taipei City, Taixuan. and mortality worldwide and constitute Subjects. One hundred thirty-three adults aged 55 years and older. a major problem to medical science and Intervention. Sixty-four participants (experimental group) attended a 60-minute Tai Chi exercise three public health.' In Taiwan, heart disease times per lueekfor 12 weeks, whereas 69 participants (control group) maintained their usual daily activities. and CVD are the second and third Measures. Anxiety states, systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), body mass leading causes of death, respectively.^ index (BMI), and waist circumference (WC) were assessed at baseline, 6 weeks into the experiment, and 12 weeks into tlie experiment. Analysis. Generalized estimjiting equations were used to evaluate the changes.Results. Participants showed a greater drop in anxiety levels (ß = -2.57, p= .001) and DBP (ß = -7.02, p < .001) at the 12-week follow-up than did the controls. SBP significantly decreased in the 6-week follow-up and 12-week folloxo-up tests. The participants in the intervention achieved a greater drop in BMJ at the 6-week and 12-zueek follow-up visits than the controls. The interventions demonstrated decreased average WC at the 6-week and 12-week folhw-up visits as compared to tlie controls.
Conclusion. The results highlight the long-term benefits of a TCC program in facilitating health promotion by reducing anxiety and risk factors for cardiovascular diseases. (Am f Health Promot 201328[l]:16-22.)
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Rhodiola sacra (Crassulaceae) exhibits cardiovascular bioactivities and is used in Tibetan medicine for promoting circulation and preventing hypertension. However, the underlying mechanisms of its cardiovascular effects are poorly understood.AIM OF THE STUDY: The aim of this study was therefore to evaluate the cardiovascular activity of water-soluble fraction (WtF) and n-butanol-soluble fraction (BtF) of Rhodiola sacra radix and to explore its mechanism of action in propofol anesthetized Sprague-Dawley rats.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: The changes of blood pressure, heart rate and cardiac contractility after systemic administration of the extracts (10-75 mg/kg) were examined for at least 40 min. Different antagonists were used to evaluate the mechanisms of cardiovascular effects of the extracts.
RESULTS: Intravenous injection of the WtF (10, 25, 35, 50 or 75 mg/kg) exhibited dose-dependent hypotension and increases in heart rate and cardiac contractility. In contrast, mild alterations in the same cardiovascular parameters were detected only at high dose (75 mg/kg) BtF. The WtF-induced hypotensive, positive inotropic and chronotropic effects were significantly abolished by pretreatment with hexamethonium (30 mg/kg, i.v.) or reserpine (5 mg/kg, i.v.), whereas the hypotensive, but not the positive inotropic or chronotropic effect was potentiated by captopril (2.5 mg/kg, i.v.). Pretreatment with methylatropine (1 mg/kg, i.v.), on the other hand, reversed the positive inotropic and chronotropic but not the hypotensive effects of WtF. The WtF-induced cardiovascular responses were not affected in rats pretreated with N(G)-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester (20 mg/kg, i.v.).
CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that systemic administration of the WtF of Rhodiola sacra radix elicited a potent hypotensive effect that was mediated by the withdrawal of sympathetic vasomotor tone and interaction with the circulatory angiotensin system. The positive inotropic and chronotropic effects of WtF may result from a direct vagal inhibition on the heart.
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Rhodiola sacra (Crassulaceae) exhibits cardiovascular bioactivities and is used in Tibetan medicine for promoting circulation and preventing hypertension. However, the underlying mechanisms of its cardiovascular effects are poorly understood. AIM OF THE STUDY: The aim of this study was therefore to evaluate the cardiovascular activity of water-soluble fraction (WtF) and n-butanol-soluble fraction (BtF) of Rhodiola sacra radix and to explore its mechanism of action in propofol anesthetized Sprague-Dawley rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The changes of blood pressure, heart rate and cardiac contractility after systemic administration of the extracts (10-75 mg/kg) were examined for at least 40 min. Different antagonists were used to evaluate the mechanisms of cardiovascular effects of the extracts. RESULTS: Intravenous injection of the WtF (10, 25, 35, 50 or 75 mg/kg) exhibited dose-dependent hypotension and increases in heart rate and cardiac contractility. In contrast, mild alterations in the same cardiovascular parameters were detected only at high dose (75 mg/kg) BtF. The WtF-induced hypotensive, positive inotropic and chronotropic effects were significantly abolished by pretreatment with hexamethonium (30 mg/kg, i.v.) or reserpine (5 mg/kg, i.v.), whereas the hypotensive, but not the positive inotropic or chronotropic effect was potentiated by captopril (2.5 mg/kg, i.v.). Pretreatment with methylatropine (1 mg/kg, i.v.), on the other hand, reversed the positive inotropic and chronotropic but not the hypotensive effects of WtF. The WtF-induced cardiovascular responses were not affected in rats pretreated with N(G)-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester (20 mg/kg, i.v.). CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that systemic administration of the WtF of Rhodiola sacra radix elicited a potent hypotensive effect that was mediated by the withdrawal of sympathetic vasomotor tone and interaction with the circulatory angiotensin system. The positive inotropic and chronotropic effects of WtF may result from a direct vagal inhibition on the heart.
Difficulties falling asleep are common among adolescents, especially during times of stress. Adolescents may thus benefit from brief techniques (15 min) that decrease pre‐sleep cognitive‐emotional arousal and sleep‐onset latency. The present study used a 3 (intervention: mindfulness bodyscan mp3, constructive worry, control) by 3 (time: baseline, week 1, week 2) mixed‐model design on a school‐based sample of adolescents (N = 232; Mage = 15.9 ± 0.8 years, range = 14–18 years; 19% male), and a sub‐sample of adolescents with prolonged sleep‐onset latency (i.e. ≥30 min; N = 119; Mage = 16.9 ± 0.9 years; 21% male). It was expected that the 15‐min pre‐recorded breath‐based mindfulness bodyscan, and constructive worry, would decrease sleep‐onset latency and pre‐sleep arousal similarly over time, relative to the control condition. A significant interaction was observed among adolescents with prolonged sleep‐onset latency, who completed ≥3 days for at least 1 week (p = .001), where mindfulness decreased sleep‐onset latency relative to constructive worry and the control. Neither technique changed pre‐sleep worry or cognitive‐emotional arousal, or associated daytime functioning (both the whole sample and sub‐sample). A pre‐recorded mp3 breath‐based mindfulness bodyscan technique is a promising means by which adolescents with prolonged sleep‐onset latency can decrease sleep‐onset latency. This simple tool has potential for scalable dissemination by stakeholders (e.g. teachers), unqualified to treat adolescent sleep difficulties. Future studies are needed to determine whether benefits may extend to academic performance and mental health, if performed for a longer time period with increased compliance.
Difficulties falling asleep are common among adolescents, especially during times of stress. Adolescents may thus benefit from brief techniques (15 min) that decrease pre‐sleep cognitive‐emotional arousal and sleep‐onset latency. The present study used a 3 (intervention: mindfulness bodyscan mp3, constructive worry, control) by 3 (time: baseline, week 1, week 2) mixed‐model design on a school‐based sample of adolescents (N = 232; Mage = 15.9 ± 0.8 years, range = 14–18 years; 19% male), and a sub‐sample of adolescents with prolonged sleep‐onset latency (i.e. ≥30 min; N = 119; Mage = 16.9 ± 0.9 years; 21% male). It was expected that the 15‐min pre‐recorded breath‐based mindfulness bodyscan, and constructive worry, would decrease sleep‐onset latency and pre‐sleep arousal similarly over time, relative to the control condition. A significant interaction was observed among adolescents with prolonged sleep‐onset latency, who completed ≥3 days for at least 1 week (p = .001), where mindfulness decreased sleep‐onset latency relative to constructive worry and the control. Neither technique changed pre‐sleep worry or cognitive‐emotional arousal, or associated daytime functioning (both the whole sample and sub‐sample). A pre‐recorded mp3 breath‐based mindfulness bodyscan technique is a promising means by which adolescents with prolonged sleep‐onset latency can decrease sleep‐onset latency. This simple tool has potential for scalable dissemination by stakeholders (e.g. teachers), unqualified to treat adolescent sleep difficulties. Future studies are needed to determine whether benefits may extend to academic performance and mental health, if performed for a longer time period with increased compliance.
Cognitive impairments, especially in higher order cognitive functions, are core features of schizophrenia. Importantly, despite their early onset, long-lasting presence, and serious impact on the life quality of patients and their families, cognitive deficits are still mostly incurable and their specific causes are still unknown. In this context, mouse/rat models with cautious and well-designed translational valence constitute an invaluable instrument in dissecting the selective nature of schizophrenia-relevant cognitive deficits, including their genetic, environmental, and neuronal/cellular mechanisms. Moreover, these models are also crucial for the implementation of more effective therapeutical strategies. Thus, based on clinical evidence in schizophrenia, here we will specifically address cognitive domains such as executive control, working memory, attention, and social cognition. We first briefly present human tasks commonly used to measure each of these domains; thereafter, we describe relevant equivalent tasks developed and now available for use in rodents.
The present work is to study the chemical constituents from petroleum ether fraction of Tibetan medicine Swertia chirayita by column chromatography and recrystallization. The structures were identified by physical and chemical properties and spectral data as swerchirin (1), decussatin (2), 1,8-dihydroxy-3,5,7-trimethoxyxanthone (3), 1-hydroxy-3,5,7,8-tetramethoxyxanthone (4), bellidifolin (5), 1-hydroxy-3, 7-dimethoxyxanthone (6), methylswertianin (7), 1-hydroxy-3,5-dimethoxyxanthone (8), erythrodiol (9), oleanolic acid (10), gnetiolactone (11), scopoletin (12), sinapaldehyde (13), syringaldehyde (14), and β-sitosterol (15). Compounds 3, 4, 9, 11-14 were isolated from S. chirayita for the first time. Compounds 9 and 12 were firstly isolated from the genus Swertia. The cytotoxic activities of compounds 1, 2, 5, 7 and 8 against human pancreatic cancer cell lines SW1990 and BxPC-3,and the protective effects of these compounds against hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)-induced oxidative stress in human endothelium-derived EA.hy926 were investigated in vitro. The results showed no obvious effect at the high concentration of 50 μmol•L⁻¹.
The chemical investigation of ethanolic extract from Swertia mussotii Franch. has resulted in the isolation of 11 compounds which were identified as Orcinol-β-D-glucoside (1), Shamimin (2), Mangiferin (3), Decussatin (4), Bellidifolin (5), Desmethylbellidifolin (6), Protocatechuic acid (7), 1,7-Dihydroxy-3,8-dimethoxyxanthone (8), 1,8-Dihydroxy-3,5-dimethoxyxanthone (9), 1-Hydroxy-3,5-dimethoxyxanthone (10), Telephioidin (11). The chemical structures of these compounds were identified by a combination of spectroscopic analysis and a comparison with those reported in literature. Among them, compounds 1, 2, 7 and 11 were isolated from the genus Swertia for the first time. Moreover, the chemotaxonomic significance of these compounds was summarised. The chemotaxonomic study suggests that there is a close chemotaxonomic relationship between S. mussotii and other species of Swertia, such as S. punicea, S. macrosperma, S. japonica, S. phragmitiphylla, S. chirayita, S. cordata and S. binchuanensis, with presence of compounds 3~6, 8~10. The xanthones and their glycosides may sever as important chemotaxonomic markers of Swertia genus.
The chemical investigation of ethanolic extract from Swertia mussotii Franch. has resulted in the isolation of 11 compounds which were identified as Orcinol-β-D-glucoside (1), Shamimin (2), Mangiferin (3), Decussatin (4), Bellidifolin (5), Desmethylbellidifolin (6), Protocatechuic acid (7), 1,7-Dihydroxy-3,8-dimethoxyxanthone (8), 1,8-Dihydroxy-3,5-dimethoxyxanthone (9), 1-Hydroxy-3,5-dimethoxyxanthone (10), Telephioidin (11). The chemical structures of these compounds were identified by a combination of spectroscopic analysis and a comparison with those reported in literature. Among them, compounds 1, 2, 7 and 11 were isolated from the genus Swertia for the first time. Moreover, the chemotaxonomic significance of these compounds was summarised. The chemotaxonomic study suggests that there is a close chemotaxonomic relationship between S. mussotii and other species of Swertia, such as S. punicea, S. macrosperma, S. japonica, S. phragmitiphylla, S. chirayita, S. cordata and S. binchuanensis, with presence of compounds 3~6, 8~10. The xanthones and their glycosides may sever as important chemotaxonomic markers of Swertia genus.
In order to find new anticancer drugs, a series of novel furoxan-based coumarin derivatives (<i>10a</i>-<i>k</i>) were synthesized and evaluated for their antiproliferative activities in vitro. All compounds displayed more potent inhibition on human cervical cancer HeLa cell proliferation than coumarin-3-carboxylic acid, and compounds <i>10b</i>,<i> 10c</i>,<i> 10f</i>,<i> 10h</i>, and <i>10i</i> with IC<sub>50</sub> values ranging from 0.88 to 5.95 μM were even stronger than doxorubicin (IC<sub>50</sub> = 10.21 μM). The further study showed that compound <i>10i</i> exerted the highest antiproliferative activity (IC<sub>50</sub> = 0.60 μM) against human breast cancer MCF-7 cells, and compound <i>10f</i> had broader spectrum antiproliferative activity against five cancer cells with IC<sub>50</sub> values in the low micromolar range of 1.86-9.85 μM. More interestingly, compound <i>10f</i> had little effect on normal intestinal epithelial CCD841 cells. Our findings suggest that these novel furoxan-based coumarin derivatives may provide a new framework for the discovery of novel antitumor agents for the intervention of human carcinoma cells.
Dermatosis often as a chronic disease requires effective long-term treatment; a comprehensive evaluation of mental health of dermatology drug does not receive enough attention. An interaction between dermatology and psychiatry has been increasingly described. Substantial evidence has accumulated that psychological stress can be associated with pigmentation, endocrine and immune systems in skin to create the optimal responses against pathogens and other physicochemical stressors to maintain or restore internal homeostasis. Additionally, given the common ectodermal origin shared by the brain and skin, we are interested in assessing how disruption of skin systems (pigmentary, endocrine and immune systems) may play a key role in brain functions. Thus, we selected three drugs (hydroquinone, isotretinoin, tacrolimus) with percutaneous excessive delivery to respectively intervene in these systems and then evaluate the potential neurotoxic effects. Firstly, C57BL/6 mice were administrated a dermal dose of hydroquinone cream, isotretinoin gel or tacrolimus ointment (2%, 0.05%, 0.1%, respectively, 5 times of the clinical dose). Behavioral testing was performed and levels of proteins were measured in the hippocampus. It was found that mice treated with isotretinoin or tacrolimus, presented a lower activity in open-field test and obvious depressive-like behavior in tail suspension test. Besides, they damaged cytoarchitecture, reduced the level of 5-HT-5-HT1A/1B system and increased the expression of apoptosis-related proteins in the hippocampus. To enable sensitive monitoring the dose-response characteristics of the consecutive neurobehavioral disorders, mice received gradient concentrations of hydroquinone (2%, 4%, 6%). Subsequently, hydroquinone induced behavioral disorders and hippocampal dysfunction in a dose-dependent response. When doses were high as 6% which was 3 times higher than 2% dose, then 100% of mice exhibited depressive-like behavior. Certainly, 6% hydroquinone exposure elicited the most serious impairment of hippocampal structure and survival. The fact that higher doses of hydroquinone are associated with a greater risk of depression is further indication that hydroquinone is responsible for the development of depression. These above data demonstrated that chronic administration of different dermatology drugs contributed into common mental distress. This surprising discovery of chemical stressors stimulating the hippocampal dysfunction, paves the way for exciting areas of study on the cross-talk between the skin and the brain, as well as is suggesting how to develop effective and safe usage of dermatological drugs in daily practice.
The majority of studies on the development of theory of mind (ToM) have focused on the preschool years. The current study examined the impact of conversation-based ToM training and whether a battery of executive function (EF) performance can predict the improvement in Chinese elementary students' ToM from training. A conversation-based training program was implemented for one month and evaluated with pre- and posttest measures of ToM. Ninety-six children were randomly assigned to intervention (nþinspace=þinspace49) and control groups (nþinspace=þinspace47). Findings indicate that the intervention group demonstrated significantly greater gains in ToM than the control group and that individual differences in a battery of EF performance can predict the improvement of ToM. These results are consistent with the beliefs that conversations about the mind foster improvements in theory of mind in school-aged children, and executive functioning skills can assist school-age children in constructing ToM by facilitating the ability to learn from relevant experience.
<p>According to the experimental results and practitioners' subjective experience, we report some hypotheses that may account for meditative phenomena during the practice of Zen-Buddhism. Orthodox Zen-Buddhist practitioners, aiming to prove the most original true-self, discover and uncover the inner energy or light on the way towards their goal. Perception of the inner light can be comprehended as resonance. Uncovering the inner energy optimizes physiological and mental health. In the meditation experiment, a significant correlation was observed between perception of the inner light and electroencephalographic (EEG) alpha blockage. We further examined this phenomenon by recording the EEG from subjects during a blessing that the subjects did not know being given. During the blessing period, significant alpha blocking was observed in experimental subjects who had been practicing meditation for years in preparation for being in resonance with the inner light. This report provides a new insight into the debate that meditation benefits our health.</p>
PURPOSE: To evaluate the effectiveness on reducing anxiety of a diaphragmatic breathing relaxation (DBR) training program.DESIGN AND METHODS: This experimental, pre-test-post-test randomized controlled trial with repeated measures collected data using the Beck Anxiety Inventory and biofeedback tests for skin conductivity, peripheral blood flow, heart rate, and breathing rate.
FINDINGS: The experimental group achieved significant reductions in Beck Anxiety Inventory scores (p < .05), peripheral temperature (p = .026), heart rate (p = .005), and breathing rate (p = .004) over the 8-week training period. The experimental group further achieved a significant reduction in breathing rate (p < .001).
PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: The findings provide guidance for providing quality care that effectively reduces the anxiety level of care recipients in clinical and community settings.
BACKGROUND:After treatment completion, breast cancer (BC) survivors frequently experience residual symptoms of pain, fatigue, high levels of psychological stress, anxiety, depression, fear of recurrence, and metastasis. Post-treatment stress, in particular, can adversely affect health-related quality of life, which, in turn, induces onset or recurrence of chronic diseases. Effective interventions that target these psychological symptoms and their physiological consequences are needed, especially for economically disadvantaged patients. However, in China, few evidence-based intervention strategies have been established among BC survivors. This study will formally adapt, develop, and evaluate an intensive mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) intervention protocol to improve mental health, quality of life, and compliance with medication among Chinese BC survivors.
METHODS:
A randomized, waitlist-controlled clinical trial will be conducted. Based on our power calculation, 418 BC survivors will be recruited from 10 low-income communities in Shanghai. All subjects will be randomly assigned either to the MBSR program or to a waitlisted usual care regimen that will offer the MBSR program after the completion of the other trial arm (after 6 months follow-up). Our 8-week MBSR intervention program will provide systematic training to promote stress reduction by self-regulating arousal to stress. Assessments will be made at baseline, 4 weeks (in the middle of the first MBSR intervention), 8 weeks (at the end of the first MBSR intervention), 6 months, and 12 months, and will include measures of psychological symptoms (depression, anxiety, and perceived stress), quality of life, and medication adherence. The expected outcome will be the improvement in psychological symptoms, quality of life, and medication compliance in the MBSR intervention group.
DISCUSSION:
This study will help develop an affordable, self-care psychological intervention protocol to help Chinese BC survivors improve their quality of life, and could be helpful in further developing affordable disease management plans for patients of other chronic diseases.
This study investigated whether a yoga exercise intervention influenced the sustained attention and discrimination function in children with ADHD. Forty-nine participants (mean age = 10.50 years) were assigned to either a yoga exercise or a control group. Participants were given the Visual Pursuit Test and Determination Test prior to and after an eight-week exercise intervention (twice per week, 40 min per session) or a control intervention. Significant improvements in accuracy rate and reaction time of the two tests were observed over time in the exercise group compared with the control group. These findings suggest that alternative therapies such as yoga exercises can be complementary to behavioral interventions for children with attention and inhibition problems. Schools and parents of children with ADHD should consider alternatives for maximizing the opportunities that children with ADHD can engage in structured yoga exercises.
BACKGROUND: Stress is considered a crucial trigger for physical and mental illness. Stress reduction is a known long-term benefit of regular Hatha yoga practice. The efficacy of a single-session Hatha yoga class on stress reduction is not currently known.PURPOSE: This study investigated the comparative effectiveness of a single 90-minute Hatha yoga class and an 8-week, 90-minute-class-per-week course.
METHODS: We used a quasiexperimental design and recruited 63 female community residents in New Taipei City aged 40-60 years. Participants were randomly divided into an experimental group (n = 30) and a control group (n = 33). The experimental group received the 8-week Hatha yoga course. The control group received no intervention. The Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) and heart rate variability (HRV) assessed stress reduction effectiveness. Chi-square, independent t test, paired t test, and generalized estimating equations were used for data analysis.
RESULTS: After a single 90-minute class of Hatha yoga, experimental group PSS scores were significantly less than those of the control group (p = .001). Although experimental group HRV (low-frequency norm and high-frequency norm) had improved, these changes were not statistically significant (p = .059). PSS scores for the single 90-minute class and 8-week course did not significantly differ (p = .157) and HRV of statistics is significant (p = .005). Generalized estimating equations analyzed changes in the effectiveness over time of stress reduction (HRV and PSS) after the Hatha yoga intervention. Results showed the postintervention HRV and PSS of the experimental group decreased significantly (p < .001) more than the control group.
CONCLUSIONS/IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: Our findings support the position that regular, long-term practice of Hatha yoga provides clear and significant health benefits. Participation in a single 90-minute Hatha yoga class can significantly reduce perceived stress. Doing Hatha yoga regularly can reduce perceived stress even more significantly.
BACKGROUND: Stress is considered a crucial trigger for physical and mental illness. Stress reduction is a known long-term benefit of regular Hatha yoga practice. The efficacy of a single-session Hatha yoga class on stress reduction is not currently known.PURPOSE: This study investigated the comparative effectiveness of a single 90-minute Hatha yoga class and an 8-week, 90-minute-class-per-week course.
METHODS: We used a quasiexperimental design and recruited 63 female community residents in New Taipei City aged 40-60 years. Participants were randomly divided into an experimental group (n = 30) and a control group (n = 33). The experimental group received the 8-week Hatha yoga course. The control group received no intervention. The Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) and heart rate variability (HRV) assessed stress reduction effectiveness. Chi-square, independent t test, paired t test, and generalized estimating equations were used for data analysis.
RESULTS: After a single 90-minute class of Hatha yoga, experimental group PSS scores were significantly less than those of the control group (p = .001). Although experimental group HRV (low-frequency norm and high-frequency norm) had improved, these changes were not statistically significant (p = .059). PSS scores for the single 90-minute class and 8-week course did not significantly differ (p = .157) and HRV of statistics is significant (p = .005). Generalized estimating equations analyzed changes in the effectiveness over time of stress reduction (HRV and PSS) after the Hatha yoga intervention. Results showed the postintervention HRV and PSS of the experimental group decreased significantly (p < .001) more than the control group.
CONCLUSIONS/IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: Our findings support the position that regular, long-term practice of Hatha yoga provides clear and significant health benefits. Participation in a single 90-minute Hatha yoga class can significantly reduce perceived stress. Doing Hatha yoga regularly can reduce perceived stress even more significantly.
Background: Heart rate variability (HRV) as an accurate, noninvasive measure of the Autonomous Nervous System (ANS) can reflect mental health (e.g., stress, depression, or anxiety). Tai Chi and Yoga (Tai Chi/Yoga), as the most widely practiced mind-body exercises, have shown positive outcomes of mental health. To date, no systematic review regarding the long-lasting effects of Tai Chi/Yoga on HRV parameters and perceived stress has been conducted. Objective: To critically evaluate the existing literature on this topic. Methods: Five electronic databases (Web of Science, PubMed, Scopus, SportDiscus and Cochrane Library) were searched from the start of the research project to July 2018. Study selection, data extraction, and study quality assessment were independently carried out by two reviewers. The potentially identified randomized controlled trials (RCT) reported the useful quantitative data that were included only for meta-analysis. Results: meta-analysis of 17 medium-to-high quality RCTs showed significantly beneficial effects on HRV parameters (normalized low-frequency, Hedge's g = -0.39, 95% CI -0.39 to -0.56, p < 0.001, I2 = 11.62%; normalized high-frequency, Hedge's g = 0.37, 95% CI 0.22 to -0.52, p < 0.001, I2 = 0%; low-frequency to high-frequency ratio, Hedge's g = -0.58, 95% CI -0.81 to -0.35, p < 0.001, I2 = 53.78%) and stress level (Hedge's g = -0.80, 95% CI -1.17 to -0.44, p < 0.001, I2 = 68.54%). Conclusions: Stress reduction may be attributed to sympathetic-vagal balance modulated by mind-body exercises. Tai Chi/Yoga could be an alternative method for stress reduction for people who live under high stress or negative emotions.
Background: Heart rate variability (HRV) as an accurate, noninvasive measure of the Autonomous Nervous System (ANS) can reflect mental health (e.g., stress, depression, or anxiety). Tai Chi and Yoga (Tai Chi/Yoga), as the most widely practiced mind-body exercises, have shown positive outcomes of mental health. To date, no systematic review regarding the long-lasting effects of Tai Chi/Yoga on HRV parameters and perceived stress has been conducted. Objective: To critically evaluate the existing literature on this topic. Methods: Five electronic databases (Web of Science, PubMed, Scopus, SportDiscus and Cochrane Library) were searched from the start of the research project to July 2018. Study selection, data extraction, and study quality assessment were independently carried out by two reviewers. The potentially identified randomized controlled trials (RCT) reported the useful quantitative data that were included only for meta-analysis. Results: meta-analysis of 17 medium-to-high quality RCTs showed significantly beneficial effects on HRV parameters (normalized low-frequency, Hedge's g = -0.39, 95% CI -0.39 to -0.56, p < 0.001, I2 = 11.62%; normalized high-frequency, Hedge's g = 0.37, 95% CI 0.22 to -0.52, p < 0.001, I2 = 0%; low-frequency to high-frequency ratio, Hedge's g = -0.58, 95% CI -0.81 to -0.35, p < 0.001, I2 = 53.78%) and stress level (Hedge's g = -0.80, 95% CI -1.17 to -0.44, p < 0.001, I2 = 68.54%). Conclusions: Stress reduction may be attributed to sympathetic-vagal balance modulated by mind-body exercises. Tai Chi/Yoga could be an alternative method for stress reduction for people who live under high stress or negative emotions.
PURPOSE: Breast cancer is the most common female cancer. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of yoga on lymphedema in breast cancer survivors.DESIGN: Repeated measures before and after the intervention. We enrolled 15 women with breast cancer who had not previously worn elastic clothing to treat lymphedema.
METHODS: The program was led by a certified trainer and consisted of 60-minute sessions, three times a week for 12 weeks. The volumes of the affected and normal limbs were measured. A self-assessed edema score was also recorded.
FINDINGS: Fifteen patients completed the program, none of whom suffered from complications related to exercise. There was no significant edema after exercise. No significant differences were noted in subgroup analysis by age or the affected arm.
CONCLUSIONS: Yoga does not induce lymphedema.
CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Lymphedema is usually treated with uncomfortable elastic clothing, and high-resistance exercise may induce edema. Yoga may be suitable for these patients.
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