Effect of two yoga-based relaxation techniques on memory scores and state anxiety
Pailoor Subramanya, Shirley Telles
BioPsychoSocial Medicine August 13, 2009 DOI: 10.1186/1751-0759-3-8 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Randomized crossover trial Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 57 |
| Population | Male volunteers, average age 26.6 years |
| Interventions | Cyclic meditation Supine rest |
| Duration | 22:30 minutes per session |
| Measures | Wechsler memory scale, Spielberger's State-Trait Anxiety Inventory |
| Topics | Anxiety |
| Key findings | Cyclic meditation improved memory scores and decreased state anxiety more than supine rest, with no correlation between memory change and anxiety change. |
Abstract
BackgroundA yoga practice involving cycles of yoga postures and supine rest (called cyclic meditation) was previously shown to improve performance in attention tasks more than relaxation in the corpse posture (shavasana). This was ascribed to reduced anxiety, though this was not assessed.MethodsIn fifty-seven male volunteers (group average age ± S.D., 26.6 ± 4.5 years) the immediate effect of two yoga relaxation techniques was studied on memory and state anxiety. All participants were assessed before and after (i) Cyclic meditation (CM) practiced for 22:30 minutes on one day and (ii) an equal duration of Supine rest (SR) or the corpse posture (shavasana), on another day. Sections of the Wechsler memory scale (WMS) were used to assess; (i) attention and concentration (digit span forward and backward), and (ii) associate learning. State anxiety was assessed using Spielberger's State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI).ResultsThere was a significant improvement in the scores of all sections of the WMS studied after both CM and SR, but, the magnitude of change was more after CM compared to after SR. The state anxiety scores decreased after both CM and SR, with a greater magnitude of decrease after CM. There was no correlation between percentage change in memory scores and state anxiety for either session.ConclusionA cyclical combination of yoga postures and supine rest in CM improved memory scores immediately after the practice and decreased state anxiety more than rest in a classical yoga relaxation posture (shavasana).
Comparable studies
Other randomized controlled trials on anxiety, most cited first.
Citations in the library
Cited by 14
- The adaptation and application of mindfulness‐based psychotherapeutic practices for individuals with intellectual disabilities Advances in Mental Health and Intellectual Disabilities September 16, 2011
- Yogic Concepts of Holistic Health and Wellness Journal of Advanced Research in Ayurveda Yoga Unani Sidhha & Homeopathy July 2, 2018
- Effect of cyclic meditation on anxiety and sleep quality in sailors on merchant ships-A quasi-experimental study. Frontiers in Public Health 2024
- The impact of yoga on military personnel with post traumatic stress disorder 2011
- The neural and psychological mechanisms of yoga and mindfulness meditation 2015
and 9 more in the library
Cites 3
- Meditation Lowers Stress and Supports Forgiveness Among College Students: A Randomized Controlled Trial Journal of American College Health March 1, 2008
- Changes in midlatency auditory evoked potentials following two yoga-based relaxation techniques. Clinical EEG and Neuroscience July 2009
- Changes in p300 following two yoga-based relaxation techniques. International Journal of Neuroscience December 2006