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Yoga's impact on risk and protective factors for disordered eating: a pilot prevention trial.

Eating disorders
January 1, 2020
C R Pacanowski et al. (5 authors)
Journal ArticleRandomized Controlled TrialHuman StudyClinical
Study Details

Study Goal

The researchers aimed to assess the feasibility and acceptability of a yoga intervention in improving risk and protective factors for eating disorders, including mindfulness, in female college students.

Results Summary

The yoga group showed increased positive affect and decreased appearance orientation compared to the control group, but changes in other outcomes, including mindfulness, were not statistically significant.

Population

Female college students (n=52)

Effective Dosage

Three 50-minute yoga classes per week

Duration

10 weeks

Interactions

None mentioned

Extracted Claims (8)
InterventionDirectionEndpointPopulationDosageImpactClaim #
yoga intervention (three 50-minute yoga classes/week for 10 weeks)
decrease
appearance orientation
female college students
-
decreased
#1
yoga intervention (three 50-minute yoga classes/week for 10 weeks)
increase
positive affect
female college students
-
increased
#2
yoga intervention (three 50-minute yoga classes/week for 10 weeks)
increase
positive affect
female college students
-
had a significantly higher
#3
yoga intervention (three 50-minute yoga classes/week for 10 weeks)
no change
body dissatisfaction
female college students
-
were not statistically significant
#4
yoga intervention (three 50-minute yoga classes/week for 10 weeks)
no change
negative affect
female college students
-
were not statistically significant
#5
yoga intervention (three 50-minute yoga classes/week for 10 weeks)
no change
loneliness
female college students
-
were not statistically significant
#6
yoga intervention (three 50-minute yoga classes/week for 10 weeks)
no change
self-compassion
female college students
-
were not statistically significant
#7
yoga intervention (three 50-minute yoga classes/week for 10 weeks)
no change
mindfulness
female college students
-
were not statistically significant
#8
Abstract

Yoga has been proposed as a strategy for improving risk and protective factors for eating disorders, but few prevention trials have been conducted. The purpose of this pilot study was to assess the feasibility and acceptability of a yoga series in female college students (n = 52). Participants were randomized to a yoga intervention (three 50-minute yoga classes/week for 10 weeks conducted by certified yoga teachers who received a 3-day intensive training) or a control group. Risk and protective factors, assessed at baseline, 5 and 10 weeks, included body dissatisfaction, negative affect, loneliness, self-compassion, positive affect, and mindfulness. Mixed models controlling for baseline levels of outcome variables were run. On average, participants attended 20 out of 30 yoga classes, and the majority of participants reported high levels of satisfaction with the yoga series. Appearance orientation decreased and positive affect increased in the yoga group relative to the control group. After controlling for baseline levels, the yoga group had a significantly higher positive affect than the control group. Changes in other outcomes were not statistically significant, as compared to the control condition. Future yoga research directions are discussed including education about body image, measure and sample selection, and use of an implementation science framework.

Medical Subject Headings (MeSH)
AdultAffectAnimalsBody DissatisfactionFeasibility StudiesFeeding and Eating DisordersFemaleHumansLonelinessMindfulnessOutcome Assessment, Health CarePatient Acceptance of Health CarePilot ProjectsProtective FactorsRisk FactorsSelf ConceptYogaYoung Adult
Study Links
Quality Scores
SafetyNot Assessed
Efficacy65/10
Quality75/10
Citation Metrics
Total Citations7
Citations/Year1.4
Relative Citation Ratio0.92
NIH Percentile47.3%
Research Impact Scores
APT Score0.50
Weight Score2.16
Normalized Score0.61
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