Short-Term Effects of Breathing, Postures, and Meditation Phases of Yoga on Physiological Stress Markers and Emotional Status: A Randomized Waitlist-Controlled Pilot Study (Preprint)
Ying Zhou, Ping Chen, Yuma Morisaki, Naoko Yamada, Risa Kuwahara, Atsuro Tsutsumi, Akihiro Nomura
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Pilot randomized waitlist-controlled trial Pilot study |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 19 |
| Population | Participants in a wellness tourism context |
| Intervention | Yoga |
| Dose | 24-minute session |
| Measures | salivary cortisol, salivary alpha-amylase, heart rate, emotional states (stress, calmness, concentration) via Apple Watch and Kansei Analyzer (EEG) |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Key findings | Yoga did not significantly alter salivary cortisol or alpha-amylase compared to control, but it increased heart rate during postures and meditation. Individual EEG analyses suggested stress reduction in some participants. |
Abstract
Background: This pilot randomized trial evaluated the immediate effects of a brief yoga intervention on physiological stress markers and emotional state in wellness tourism.
Objective: To test whether a 24-minute yoga session reduces salivary cortisol and salivary alpha-amylase, and increases heart rate (HR) and improves emotional states compared to waitlist control, while exploring individual variability.
Methods: In a single-center, parallel-group, randomized waitlist-controlled pilot study (1:1 allocation), 19 participants were assigned to a 24-minute yoga session (n=10) or waitlist control (n=9). Primary outcome was change in salivary cortisol. Secondary outcomes included salivary alpha-amylase, HR, and emotional states (stress, calmness, concentration) via Apple Watch and Kansei Analyzer (EEG). Data were analyzed using t-tests and regression.
Results: No significant differences in salivary cortisol or alpha-amylase were observed. Yoga increased HR during postures and meditation compared to control. Individual EEG analyses suggested stress reduction in some participants.
Conclusions: Brief yoga may offer physiological and emotional benefits for wellness tourism, but larger trials are needed. Trial not registered due to pilot nature.
Comparable studies
Other randomized controlled trials on meditation, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alterations in Brain and Immune Function Produced by Mindfulness Meditation Healthy employees in a work environment | 2003 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 41 |
| Prevention of relapse/recurrence in major depression by mindfulness-based cognitive therapy. Recovered recurrently depressed patients | 2000 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 145 |
| Open hearts build lives: Positive emotions, induced through loving-kindness meditation, build consequential personal resources. Working adults | 2008 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 139 |
| Short-term meditation training improves attention and self-regulation Undergraduate Chinese students | 2007 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 40 |
| Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy for Depression: Replication and Exploration of Differential Relapse Prevention Effects. Recovered recurrently depressed patients | 2004 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 73 |