Effects of yoga and mindfulness practices on the autonomous nervous system in primary school children: A non-randomised controlled study.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to determine whether a 16-week integrated yoga and mindfulness-based program could improve autonomic nervous system function in primary school children, as measured by heart rate variability parameters.
Results Summary
The study found no significant changes in heart rate variability parameters between the intervention and control groups after 16 weeks, though a trend toward increased parasympathetic activity was observed in the intervention group. Exploratory post-hoc analyses suggested increased nocturnal parasympathetic activity in the intervention group, but further research is needed.
Population
Primary school children (42.5% female) in a German school setting.
Effective Dosage
Not specified (16-week program, frequency not detailed).
Duration
16 weeks.
Interactions
None mentioned.
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
integrated yoga and mindfulness-based programme | no change | heart rate variability parameters | primary school children | no significant changes | No significant changes | #1 |
integrated yoga and mindfulness-based programme | increase | parasympathetic activity | primary school children | trend | a trend towards increased | #2 |
integrated yoga and mindfulness-based programme | no change | parasympathetic activity | primary school children | not significant | not significantly enhanced | #3 |
integrated yoga-based intervention | no change | benefit | children in German primary school settings | - | do not clearly show that children benefit | #4 |
integrated yoga-based intervention | increase | nocturnal parasympathetic activity | primary school children | - | increased | #5 |
OBJECTIVES: The present study examined the effects of a yoga and mindfulness-based programme on the autonomic nervous system of primary school children by using heart rate variability parameters. DESIGN: A two-arm non-randomised controlled trial compared an integrated yoga and mindfulness-based programme (16 weeks) to conventional primary school lessons. SETTING: Primary school classrooms and conference rooms. INTERVENTIONS: Participants were allocated to a 16-week integrated yoga-based programme or conventional school lessons. A subgroup was randomised to receive 24h electrocardiogram-recordings. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Heart rate variability indices were measured, both linear (time and frequency domain) and non-linear (symbolic dynamics, compression entropy), calculated from 30-minute extracts of Holter-electrocardiogram-recordings. Assessments were conducted at baseline and at the end of intervention. RESULTS: 40 participants (42.5% female) were included into the analysis of HRV. No significant changes in heart rate variability parameters were observed between the groups after 16 weeks. In the intervention group, a trend towards increased parasympathetic activity could be seen over time, although not significantly enhanced compared to the control group. CONCLUSION: Results obtained here do not clearly show that children in German primary school settings benefit from an integrated yoga-based intervention. However, exploratory post-hoc analyses point interestingly to an increased nocturnal parasympathetic activity in the intervention group. Further studies are required with high-quality study designs, larger sample sizes and longer-term follow-ups.