Yoga lifestyle intervention reduces blood pressure in HIV‐infected adults with cardiovascular disease risk factors^*

Abstract

People living with human immunodeficiency virus infection (HIV) are at increased risk for developing cardiovascular disease (CVD). Safe and effective interventions for lowering CVD risk in HIV are high priorities.Objective-We conducted a prospective, randomized, controlled study to evaluate whether a yoga lifestyle intervention improves CVD risk factors, virologic or immunologic status, or quality of life in HIV-infected adults more than in a matched control group.Methods-Sixty HIV-infected adults with mild-moderate CVD risk were assigned to 20 wks of supervised yoga practice or standard of care treatment. Baseline and week 20 measures were; 2hr-oral glucose tolerance test with insulin monitoring, body composition, fasting serum lipid/lipoprotein profile, resting blood pressures, CD4+ T-cell number and plasma HIV RNA, and the Medical Outcomes Study SF-36 health-related quality of life inventory.Results-Resting systolic and diastolic blood pressures were reduced more (p=0.04) in the yoga group (−5±2 and −3±1 mmHg) than in the standard of care group (+1±2 and +2±2 mmHg), despite no greater reduction in body weight, fat mass, proatherogenic lipids, or improvements in glucose tolerance or overall quality of life after yoga. Immune and virologic status was not adversely affected.Conclusion-Among traditional lifestyle modifications, yoga is a low cost, simple to administer, non-pharmacological, popular behavioral intervention that can lower blood pressure in prehypertensive HIV-infected adults with mild-moderate CVD risk factors.

Beyond Medications and Diet: Alternative Approaches to Lowering Blood Pressure

“…Two small randomized studies of hatha yoga-type practices evaluated BP as an outcome since 2007. 60,61 A third small trial assessed the impact of a variation of pranayama on a background of hatha yoga practice. In a randomized, controlled clinical trial, yoga-naïve adults with stage I hypertension were randomized to 12 weeks of Iyengar yoga or control arms (enhanced usual care emphasizing diet).…”

“…61 Baseline and week 20 measures included BP and 2-hour oral glucose tolerance testing with insulin monitoring, body composition, fasting serum lipid/lipoprotein profile, and quality-of-life measures. Resting systolic and diastolic BP levels improved more (P=0.04) in the yoga group (−5±2 and −3±1 mm Hg, respectively) than in the standard of care group (1±2 and 2±2 mm Hg, respectively) without improvement in other measures noted.…”

Caminhada/corrida ou uma partida de futebol recreacional apresentam efetividade semelhante na indução de hipotensão pós-exercício

“…Therefore, some studies showed that sport modalities such as Tai Chi Chuan, are efficient in promoting pEH 10 and improving the regulation of the vagal reflex and sensitivity o the baroreflex after some training weeks 24 . Moreover, another modality as yoga may promote Bp reduction in subjects with risk for cardiovascular disease after a training period 25 , despite being a low-intensity physical activity, which is a point in favor of the exercise psychobiological influence on blood pressure.…”

A biobehavioral model of weight loss associated with meditative movement practice among breast cancer survivors

“…A number of recent studies indicate that weight, or more specifically BMI, may be reduced in response to MM practices (Cade et al, 2010; Liu et al, 2010; Manchanda et al, 2000), particularly for those who are overweight or obese (Chen et al, 2010), even when compared to non-MM exercise controls (Chen et al, 2010; Cheung et al, 2005; Dechamps et al, 2009). …”