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.