Yoga as a Complementary Therapy for Adults with Type 2 Diabetes: Design and Rationale of the Healthy, Active, and in Control (HA1C) Study.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to examine the feasibility and acceptability of yoga (a mindfulness practice) among adult patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and its potential effects on glycemic control and related physiological and behavioral factors.
Results Summary
The study assessed feasibility and acceptability of yoga, glycemic outcomes, and changes in physiological and behavioral factors relevant to T2DM management, but specific results were not detailed in the abstract. Focus groups explored participants' experiences and perceptions of yoga's utility for diabetes management.
Population
Adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).
Effective Dosage
12-week Iyengar Yoga intervention given twice weekly.
Duration
12 weeks (with follow-up assessments at 3 and 6 months postintervention).
Interactions
None mentioned
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Yoga practice | increase | stress and other self-care tasks | people with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) | - | may positively affect | #1 |
Yoga practice | increase | glycemic control | people with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) | - | will contribute to improved | #2 |
12-week Iyengar Yoga intervention given twice weekly | neutral | feasibility and acceptability (e.g., attendance/retention rates, satisfaction with program) | adult patients with T2DM | - | will assess | #3 |
12-week Iyengar Yoga intervention given twice weekly | neutral | glycemic outcomes (e.g., HbA1c, fasting blood glucose, postprandial blood glucose) | adult patients with T2DM | - | will assess | #4 |
12-week Iyengar Yoga intervention given twice weekly | neutral | changes in physiological (e.g., salivary cortisol) and behavioral factors (e.g., physical activity, diet) | adult patients with T2DM | - | will assess | #5 |
Diabetes is the seventh leading cause of death in the United States. For most patients, medication alone is not sufficient to achieve glycemic control; attention must also be paid to multiple healthy behaviors including diet, regular physical activity, and stress management. Yoga, a mindfulness practice with emphasis on relaxation, meditation, and deep breathing, may have special relevance to people with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Yoga practice may positively affect stress and other self-care tasks that will contribute to improved glycemic control. The Healthy, Active, and in Control (HA1C) study is designed to examine the feasibility and acceptability of yoga among adult patients with T2DM. In this pilot randomized controlled trial, adults with T2DM were randomly assigned to either a 12-week Iyengar Yoga intervention given twice weekly, or a twice-weekly 12-week program of traditional exercise (e.g., walking, stationary cycling). Assessments are conducted at the end of treatment (12 weeks) and at 3 and 6 months postintervention. The HA1C study will assess feasibility and acceptability (e.g., attendance/retention rates, satisfaction with program), glycemic outcomes (e.g., HbA1c, fasting blood glucose, postprandial blood glucose), and changes in physiological (e.g., salivary cortisol) and behavioral factors (e.g., physical activity, diet) relevant to the management of T2DM. Focus groups are conducted at the end of the intervention to explore participants' experience with the program and their perception of the potential utility of yoga for diabetes management.