Effect of yoga on arterial stiffness in elderly subjects with increased pulse pressure: A randomized controlled study.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to compare the effects of brisk walking with stretching exercises versus yoga on arterial function, blood pressure, and cardiac autonomic activity in elderly individuals with increased pulse pressure.
Results Summary
The study found that brisk walking did not produce significant changes in arterial stiffness, blood pressure, or autonomic function, while yoga showed significant improvements in these measures. The results suggest yoga was more effective than brisk walking for the studied outcomes.
Population
Elderly subjects with pulse pressure ≥60 mmHg (n=30 in the brisk-walking group).
Effective Dosage
1 hour of brisk walking with stretching exercises, 6 days per week.
Duration
12 weeks.
Interactions
None mentioned.
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
yoga training | decrease | c-f PWV | elderly subjects with PP≥60 mmHg | 1.25 m/s | significant difference in effects | #1 |
yoga training | decrease | baPWV | elderly subjects with PP≥60 mmHg | 1.96 m/s | significant difference in effects | #2 |
yoga training | decrease | AIx@75 | elderly subjects with PP≥60 mmHg | 3.07 | significant difference in effects | #3 |
yoga training | decrease | aASI | elderly subjects with PP≥60 mmHg | 8.3 | significant difference in effects | #4 |
yoga training | increase | total serum nitric oxide concentration (NOx) | elderly subjects with PP≥60 mmHg | -9.03 μmol/L | significant difference in effects | #5 |
yoga training | decrease | SBP | elderly subjects with PP≥60 mmHg | 14.23 mmHg | significant difference in effects | #6 |
yoga training | no change | DBP | elderly subjects with PP≥60 mmHg | 0.1 mmHg | significant difference in effects | #7 |
yoga training | decrease | PP | elderly subjects with PP≥60 mmHg | 14.07 mmHg | significant difference in effects | #8 |
yoga training | decrease | MAP | elderly subjects with PP≥60 mmHg | 4.7 mmHg | significant difference in effects | #9 |
yoga training | increase | LF (nu) | elderly subjects with PP≥60 mmHg | 4.81 | significant difference in effects | #10 |
yoga training | decrease | HF (nu) | elderly subjects with PP≥60 mmHg | -4.13 | significant difference in effects | #11 |
yoga training | increase | LF/HF ratio | elderly subjects with PP≥60 mmHg | 0.84 | significant difference in effects | #12 |
yoga training | improve | vascular function | elderly subjects with PP≥60 mmHg | - | significant change within-yoga group | #13 |
yoga training | decrease | BP | elderly subjects with PP≥60 mmHg | - | significant change within-yoga group | #14 |
yoga training | improve | autonomic function | elderly subjects with PP≥60 mmHg | - | significant change within-yoga group | #15 |
brisk-walk with stretching exercise | no change | vascular function, BP and autonomic function | elderly subjects with PP≥60 mmHg | - | no significant change within-BW group | #16 |
yoga program | decrease | arterial stiffness | elderly individuals with increased PP | - | more effective than brisk-walk in reducing | #17 |
yoga program | decrease | BP | elderly individuals with increased PP | - | more effective than brisk-walk in reducing | #18 |
yoga | decrease | sympathetic activity | elderly individuals with increased PP | - | significantly reduce | #19 |
yoga | increase | endothelial function | elderly individuals with increased PP | - | improve | #20 |
yoga | increase | bioavailability of NO | elderly individuals with increased PP | - | enhancement in | #21 |
OBJECTIVE: We aimed to determine the effect of yoga on arterial function in elderly with increased pulse pressure (PP). DESIGN: Randomized controlled study with two parallel groups. PARTICIPANTS: Elderly subjects with PP≥60 mmHg (n=60). INTERVENTIONS: Yoga group (n=30) was assigned for yoga training and brisk-walking (BW) group (n=30) for brisk-walk with stretching exercise for 1h in the morning for 6 days in a week for 12 weeks. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Arterial stiffness measures: Brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV), Carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (c-f PWV), aortic augmentation index (AIx@75), arterial stiffness index at brachial (bASI) and tibial arteries (aASI). Total serum nitric oxide concentration (NOx) as an index of endothelial function. Heart rate variability (HRV) measures: Low frequency and high frequency in normalized units (LFnu, HFnu) and LF/HF ratio. RESULTS: The mean between-group change (with 95% CI) in arterial stiffness: c-f PWV(m/s) [1.25(0.59-1.89); p<0.001], baPWV(m/s) [1.96(0.76-3.16), p<0.01], AIx@75 [3.07(0.24-5.89), p=0.066], aASI [8.3(4.06-12.53), p<0.001]; endothelial function index: NO(μmol/L) [-9.03(-14.57 to -3.47), p<0.001]; SBP(mmHg) [14.23(12.03-16.44), p<0.001], DBP(mmHg) [0.1(-1.95-2.15), p=0.38], PP(mmHg) [14.07(11.2-16.92), p<0.001], MAP(mmHg) [4.7(3.08-6.32), p<0.001]; and cardiac autonomic function: LF(nu) [4.81(1.54-8.08), p<0.01], HF(nu) [-4.13(-7.57 to -0.69), p<0.01], LF/HF ratio [0.84(0.3-1.37), p<0.001], indicate significant difference in effects of two intervention on arterial stiffness, endothelial function, BP and cardiac autonomic activity. There was significant change within-yoga group in vascular function, BP and autonomic function, while no significant change within-BW group was observed. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that yoga program offered was more effective than brisk-walk in reducing arterial stiffness along with BP in elderly individuals with increased PP. Yoga can also significantly reduce sympathetic activity and improve endothelial function with enhancement in bioavailability of NO.