Feasibility of yoga as a complementary therapy for patients with type 2 diabetes: The Healthy Active and in Control (HA1C) study.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to examine the feasibility and acceptability of yoga as a complementary therapy for adults with Type-2 Diabetes (T2DM) and compare its effects to a supervised walking program.
Results Summary
The yoga intervention was highly feasible and acceptable, with significant reductions in HbA1c, greater improvements in diabetes self-care, quality of life, and emotional distress, and increased mindfulness compared to the standard exercise group.
Population
Adults with Type-2 Diabetes (T2DM) (30 women, 18 men).
Effective Dosage
Twice weekly Iyengar yoga sessions.
Duration
12 weeks.
Interactions
None mentioned.
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Iyengar yoga | decrease | HbA1c | adults with Type-2 Diabetes (T2DM) | 1.25 units lower at 6 months compared to SE | produced significant reductions | #1 |
Iyengar yoga | increase | diabetes self-care | adults with Type-2 Diabetes (T2DM) | - | Greater improvements | #2 |
Iyengar yoga | increase | quality of life | adults with Type-2 Diabetes (T2DM) | - | Greater improvements | #3 |
Iyengar yoga | decrease | emotional distress | adults with Type-2 Diabetes (T2DM) | - | Greater improvements | #4 |
Iyengar yoga | increase | mindfulness | adults with Type-2 Diabetes (T2DM) | - | Increases | #5 |
standard exercise (SE) | no change | mindfulness | adults with Type-2 Diabetes (T2DM) | - | not seen | #6 |
OBJECTIVES: This study:Healthy Active and in Control (HA1C), examined the feasibility and acceptability of yoga as a complementary therapy for adults with Type-2 Diabetes (T2DM). DESIGN: A 2-arm randomized clinical trial comparing Iyengar yoga with a supervised walking program. SETTING: Hospital based gym-type facility and conference rooms. INTERVENTIONS: Participants were randomized to a 12-week program of either; (1) a twice weekly Iyengar yoga, or (2) a twice-weekly program of standard exercise (SE). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Primary outcomes assessed feasibility and acceptability, including enrollment rates, attendance, study completion, and participant satisfaction. Secondary outcomes included HbA1c, physical activity, and measures of diabetes-related emotional distress, self-care and quality of life (QOL). Assessments were conducted at baseline, end of treatment, 6-months and 9-months post-enrollment. RESULTS: Of 175 adults screened for eligibility, 48 (30 women, 18 men) were eligible and enrolled. The most common reasons for ineligibility were orthopedic restrictions, HbA1c levels <6.5 and BMI > 42. Session attendance was high (82% of sessions attended), as was follow-up completion rates (92%). Program satisfaction rated on a 5-point scale, was high among both Yoga (M = 4.63, SD = 0.57) and SE (M = 4.77, SD = 0.52) participants. Overall 44 adverse events (26 Yoga, 18 SE) were reported. Of these, six were deemed "possibly related" (e.g., neck strain, back pain), and 1 "probably related" (ankle pain after treadmill) to the study. Yoga produced significant reductions in HbA1c. Median HbA1c at 6 months was 1.25 units lower for Yoga compared to SE (95% CI: -2.54 -0.04). Greater improvements in diabetes self-care, quality of life, and emotional distress were seen among Yoga participants than among SE participants. Increases in mindfulness were seen in Yoga but not in SE. CONCLUSIONS: The yoga intervention was highly feasible and acceptable, and produced improvements in blood glucose and psychosocial measures of diabetes management.