The Health Benefits of Yoga and
Exercise: A Review of Comparison Studies
To cite this article:
Alyson Ross, M.S.N., R.N., and Sue Thomas, F.A.A.N., Ph.D., R.N.. The
Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine. January 2010, 16(1): 3-12.
doi:10.1089/acm.2009.0044.
Published in Volume: 16 Issue 1: January 27, 2010
Objectives: Exercise is considered an acceptable method for
improving and maintaining physical and emotional health. A growing body of
evidence supports the belief that yoga benefits physical and mental health via
down-regulation of the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis and the
sympathetic nervous system (SNS). The purpose of this article is to provide a
scholarly review of the literature regarding research studies comparing the
effects of yoga and exercise on a variety of health outcomes and health
conditions.
Methods: Using PubMed® and the key word “yoga,” a
comprehensive search of the research literature from core scientific and
nursing journals yielded 81 studies that met inclusion criteria. These studies
subsequently were classified as uncontrolled (n = 30), wait list
controlled (n = 16), or comparison (n = 35). The most common
comparison intervention (n = 10) involved exercise. These studies were
included in this review.
Results: In the studies reviewed, yoga interventions appeared to
be equal or superior to exercise in nearly every outcome measured except those
involving physical fitness.
Conclusions: The studies comparing the effects of yoga and exercise
seem to indicate that, in both healthy and diseased populations, yoga may be as
effective as or better than exercise at improving a variety of health-related
outcome measures. Future clinical trials are needed to examine the distinctions
between exercise and yoga, particularly how the two modalities may differ in
their effects on the SNS/HPA axis. Additional studies using rigorous
methodologies are needed to examine the health benefits of the various types of
yoga.
Review
Yoga for anxiety:
a systematic review of the research evidence
FREE
1. G Kirkwood1, H Rampes2, V Tuffrey3, J Richardson4, K Pilkington5Author affiliations
Abstract
Between March and June 2004, a systematic review was carried out
of the research evidence on the effectiveness of yoga for the treatment of
anxiety and anxiety disorders. Eight studies were reviewed. They reported
positive results, although there were many methodological inadequacies. Owing
to the diversity of conditions treated and poor quality of most of the studies,
it is not possible to say that yoga is effective in treating anxiety or anxiety
disorders in general. However, there are encouraging results, particularly with
obsessive compulsive disorder. Further well conducted research is necessary
which may be most productive if focused on specific anxiety disorders.
Efficacy of mindfulness
meditation for smoking cessation: A systematic review and meta-
·
Margaret A. Maglione , Alicia Ruelaz Maher, Brett Ewing, Benjamin Colaiaco, Sydne Newberry, Ryan Kandrack,Roberta M. Shanman, Melony E. Sorbero and Susanne Hempel
Addictive
Behaviors, 2017-06-01, Volume 69, Pages 27-34, Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd
Abstract
Background
Smokers increasingly seek
alternative interventions to assist in cessation or reduction efforts.
Mindfulness meditation, which facilitates detached observation and paying
attention to the present moment with openness, curiosity, and acceptance, has
recently been studied as a smoking cessation intervention.
Aims
This review synthesizes randomized
controlled trials (RCTs) of mindfulness meditation (MM) interventions for
smoking cessation.
Methods
Five electronic databases were
searched from inception to October 2016 to identify English-language RCTs
evaluating the efficacy and safety of MM interventions for smoking cessation,
reduction, or a decrease in nicotine cravings. Two independent reviewers
screened literature using predetermined eligibility criteria, abstracted
study-level information, and assessed the quality of included studies.
Meta-analyses used the Hartung-Knapp-Sidik-Jonkman method for random-effects
models. The quality of evidence was assessed using the GRADE approach.
Findings
Ten RCTs of MM interventions for
tobacco use met inclusion criteria. Intervention duration, intensity, and comparison
conditions varied considerably. Studies used diverse comparators such as the
American Lung Association's Freedom from Smoking (FFS) program, quitline
counseling, interactive learning, or treatment as usual (TAU). Only one RCT was
rated as good quality and reported power calculations indicating sufficient
statistical power. Publication bias was detected. Overall, mindfulness
meditation did not have significant effects on abstinence or cigarettes per
day, relative to comparator groups. The small number of studies and
heterogeneity in interventions, comparators, and outcomes precluded detecting
systematic differences between adjunctive and monotherapy interventions. No
serious adverse events were reported.
Conclusions
MM did not differ significantly
from comparator interventions in their effects on tobacco use. Low-quality
evidence, variability in study design among the small number of existing
studies, and publication bias suggest that additional, high-quality adequately
powered RCTs should be conducted.
Highlights
This systematic review summarizes
randomized controlled trials of mindfulness meditation for smoking cessation.
Five databases were searched; ten
trials met inclusion criteria.
Study quality and intervention
characteristics varied considerably; this reflects the preliminary state of
research in this area.
Overall, mindfulness meditation did
not have significant effects on abstinence or cigarettes per day, relative to
comparator groups.
Yoga for improving health-related quality of life, mental health and
cancer-related symptoms in women diagnosed with breast cancer
Authors
·
Holger Cramer, Romy Lauche, Petra Klose, Silke Lange, Jost
Langhorst, Gustav J Dobos
·
3 January 2017
·
Cochrane Breast Cancer Group
·
Abstract
Breast cancer is the cancer
most frequently diagnosed in women worldwide. Even though survival rates are
continually increasing, breast cancer is often associated with long-term
psychological distress, chronic pain, fatigue and impaired quality of life.
Yoga comprises advice for an ethical lifestyle, spiritual practice, physical
activity, breathing exercises and meditation. It is a complementary therapy
that is commonly recommended for breast cancer-related impairments and has been
shown to improve physical and mental health in people with different cancer
types.
Objectives
To assess effects of yoga on
health-related quality of life, mental health and cancer-related symptoms among
women with a diagnosis of breast cancer who are receiving active treatment or
have completed treatment.
Nurturing Mindfulness in Children and Youth: Current State of
Research Child Development Perspectives
Volume 6, Issue 2, pages 161–166, June
2012
1. Mark T. Greenberg and Alexis R. Harris
Version
of Record online: 31 OCT 2011
DOI: 10.1111/j.1750-8606.2011.00215.x
Abstract— This article reviews the current state of research on
contemplative practices with children and youth. It reviews contemplative
practices used both in treatment settings and in prevention or health promotion
contexts, including school-based programs. Although there is great interest and
potential promise for contemplative interventions, enthusiasm for promoting such
practices outweighs the current evidence supporting them. Interventions that
nurture mindfulness in children and youth may be a feasible and effective
method of building resilience in universal populations and in the treatment of
disorders in clinical populations. This review suggests that meditation and
yoga may be associated with beneficial outcomes for children and youth, but the
generally limited quality of research tempers the allowable conclusions.
Well-designed experimental studies that are grounded in developmental theory
and measure multiple indicators of change must fully test the efficacy of such
interventions.
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