Subjective Sleep Quality and hormonal modulation in long-term yoga practitioners

Yoga represents a fascinating mind–body approach, wherein body movements (asana), breathing exercises (pranayama) and meditation are integrated into a single multidimensional practice. Numerous beneficial mental and physical effects have been classically ascribed to this holistic ancient method. The...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:Biological psychology 2009-07, Vol.81 (3), p.164-168
Main Authors: Vera, Francisca M., Manzaneque, Juan M., Maldonado, Enrique F., Carranque, Gabriel A., Rodriguez, Francisco M., Blanca, Maria J., Morell, Miguel
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
ACTH
Adrenocorticotropic Hormone - blood
Adult
Behavioral psychophysiology
Biological and medical sciences
Cortisol
Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate - blood
DHEA-S
Female
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
Hormones - blood
Humans
Hydrocortisone - blood
Immunoassay - methods
Male
Middle Aged
Psychology. Psychoanalysis. Psychiatry
Psychology. Psychophysiology
Sleep - physiology
Statistics, Nonparametric
Subjective Sleep Quality
Surveys and Questionnaires
Yoga
Citations: Items that this one cites
Items that cite this one
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:Yoga represents a fascinating mind–body approach, wherein body movements (asana), breathing exercises (pranayama) and meditation are integrated into a single multidimensional practice. Numerous beneficial mental and physical effects have been classically ascribed to this holistic ancient method. The purpose of the present study has been to examine the effects of long-term yoga practice on Subjective Sleep Quality (SSQ) and on several hormonal parameters of the hypothalamus–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis. Twenty-six subjects (16 experimental and 10 controls) were recruited to be part of the study. Experimental subjects were regular yoga practitioners with a minimum of 3 years of practice. Blood samples for the quantification of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), cortisol and dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate (DHEA-S) were drawn from all subjects. Likewise, the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) was employed to assess SSQ. As statistical analysis, Mann–Whitney U-test was performed. The yoga group displayed lower PSQI scores and higher blood cortisol levels than control subjects. Therefore, it can be concluded that long-term yoga practice is associated with significant psycho-biological differences, including better sleep quality as well as a modulatory action on the levels of cortisol. These preliminary results suggest interesting clinical implications which should be further researched.
ISSN:0301-0511
1873-6246
DOI:10.1016/j.biopsycho.2009.03.008