The Effect of Hatha Yoga on Mental Health

NCT ID: NCT05777044

Last Updated: 2023-03-20

Study Results

Results pending

The study team has not published outcome measurements, participant flow, or safety data for this trial yet. Check back later for updates.

Basic Information

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Recruitment Status

UNKNOWN

Clinical Phase

NA

Total Enrollment

45 participants

Study Classification

INTERVENTIONAL

Study Start Date

2022-09-09

Study Completion Date

2023-08-01

Brief Summary

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The goal of this clinical trial is to determine the effects of a 10-week (2x a week; 45-minute per session) Hatha yoga intervention in adults ages 18-25 (n = 45) on mental health outcomes. The main questions it aims to answer are:

What is the effect of a hatha yoga intervention on depression and anxiety symptoms?

What is the effect of a hatha yoga intervention on electroencephalogram (EEG) alpha and theta band power?

What is the effect of hatha yoga intervention on heart rate variability?

Participants will be randomized to three groups: waitlist control (usual routine), Hatha yoga (experimental group), and meditation (active comparative group). Participants in the Hatha yoga experimental group will attend 10 weeks of twice-weekly 45-minute yoga sessions.

The active comparison meditation group will participate in 10 weeks of twice-weekly 45-minute meditation sessions. The control group will continue with their usual routine.

Researchers will compare changes in depression and anxiety symptoms, EEG alpha and theta band power, and heart rate variability between the three groups.

Detailed Description

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There are knowledge gaps that need to be addressed in understanding the effects of yoga, specifically long-term interventions, on physiological markers, electroencephalography (EEG) and heart rate variability (HRV) and elevated mental health symptoms in young adults. The present study will address the knowledge gaps by evaluating the effect of a 10-week (2x a week; 45-minute per session) Hatha yoga intervention in adults ages 18-25 (n = 45). Participants will be truly randomized to three groups: waitlist control (usual routine), Hatha yoga (experimental group), and meditation (active comparative group). This design will allow the investigators to determine the effects of Hatha yoga on relevant outcome measures. Changes in depression symptoms (BDI), anxiety symptoms (BAI), EEG alpha and theta band power, heart rate variability indices (RMSSD, LF/HF) will be assessed. Compared to the control group, investigators hypothesize that both the Hatha yoga and meditation groups will exhibit an improvement in depression and anxiety symptoms, an increased alpha and theta band power at rest, and an increased RMSSD and decreased LF/HF at rest. Moreover, the investigators hypothesize that the Hatha yoga group will improve body composition, flexibility, muscular endurance and strength, and cardiovascular recovery more than the meditation group.

Conditions

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Depression Anxiety Mental Health Issue

Study Design

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Allocation Method

RANDOMIZED

Intervention Model

PARALLEL

Participants will be randomized to one of three groups: waitlist control (usual routine), Hatha yoga (experimental group), and meditation (active comparative group).
Primary Study Purpose

TREATMENT

Blinding Strategy

SINGLE

Outcome Assessors
Research personnel who administer heart rate variability and EEG were blinded to group assignment.

Study Groups

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Control- No Intervention/treatment

Participants in the control group will maintain their usual daily routine. The participants will complete the pre-test, 10 weeks of normal daily activities, and post-test. No changes to their daily schedule will be made by the researcher.

Group Type NO_INTERVENTION

No interventions assigned to this group

Active Comparator- 10-week, 2x/week, 45-minute sessions of guided meditation

The active comparator meditation group will complete a 10-week meditation yoga intervention (2x/week, 45 minutes per session). Each session will consist of yogic breathing, imagery, and meditation, specifically with a focus on each of the yogic limbs. The yogic limbs that will be incorporated during the meditation intervention are yamas, niyamas, pranayamas, and sense withdrawal/meditative techniques.

Group Type ACTIVE_COMPARATOR

Yoga

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

Participation in Hatha Yoga twice a week for 45 minutes for 10 weeks. The total potential dose is 900 minutes over the course of the intervention.

Experimental- 10-week, 2x/week, 45-minute Hatha yoga sessions

The experimental hatha yoga group will complete a 10-week yoga intervention (2x/week, 45 minutes per session). Each session will consist of a centering, integration, awakening, vitality, equanimity, grounding, igniting, opening, release, and deep rest; all of which are specific hatha yoga practice sections. This group will complete the pre-test and post-test measures.

Group Type EXPERIMENTAL

Yoga

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

Participation in Hatha Yoga twice a week for 45 minutes for 10 weeks. The total potential dose is 900 minutes over the course of the intervention.

Interventions

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Yoga

Participation in Hatha Yoga twice a week for 45 minutes for 10 weeks. The total potential dose is 900 minutes over the course of the intervention.

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

Eligibility Criteria

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Inclusion Criteria

* Ages 18-35
* Medically healthy to participate in physical activity as determined by the Physical Activity Reading Questionnaire (PAR-Q)
* Concerned about or experiencing heightened anxiety, depression, and/or stress symptoms

Exclusion Criteria

* Those with diagnosed with an intellectual or developmental disability, currently diagnosed with a concussion, physically unhealthy to participate in physical activity
* Anyone currently taking beta-blockers
Minimum Eligible Age

18 Years

Maximum Eligible Age

35 Years

Eligible Sex

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Sponsors

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Auburn University

OTHER

Sponsor Role lead

Responsible Party

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Danielle D Wadsworth

Professor

Responsibility Role PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Locations

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Auburn University

Auburn, Alabama, United States

Site Status

Countries

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United States

Other Identifiers

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Yoga RCT

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id

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