Mindfulness Yoga Research

  There are various challenges to tackle for caregivers of adults with dementia. Social isolation and the demands of taking care of a person with dementia require new approaches to support the patients’ health and social interactions while creating conditions that are feasible and accessible.   The pandemic added new limitations to a complicated situation. Is online supervised Chair Yoga a feasible resource to offer for adults with dementia?   A small study funded by the Florida Atlantic University showed that it is. The results of this study were published by the Journal Complimentary Therapies in Clinical Practice. A study to assess the feasibility of online Chair Yoga in adults with dementia had never been done before.   The study explored the feasibility of supervised online Chair Yoga in a group of patients with dementia by evaluating the retention, adherence and safety of the approach. A home-based Chair Yoga intervention was provided to 10 older patients with dementia (m

  The diagnosis of cancer is a life-changing experience on many levels: physical, emotional, social and financial. Stress, uncertainty, fear and the challenges of navigating the medical system are all part of the reality of facing this diagnosis (1). Depending on the type of cancer and the stage at which it is diagnosed, the condition may cause new symptoms and may affect somebody’s ability to function.     Being diagnosed and treated for cancer requires social support and a strategy to deal with stress. How can yoga support patients through their treatment and after they complete it?   Research has shown that yoga can be beneficial as a complementary therapy to support patients with cancer while they receive their treatment and after they complete it (2, 3).   A study published in October 2020 by the Support Care Center examined the effects of weekly yoga sessions during eight weeks (2). Cancer patients were randomized to receive yoga (intervention group) or to not receive yog

  Chronic migraine is a complication of episodic migraines. Each year 25 percent of patients with episodic migraines develop chronic migraines. Chronic migraine is a disabling complication that leads to loss of working hours and reduced productivity (1).  According to a study, preventive treatment was discontinued or switched at least once by 26.4 percent of episodic migraineurs and by 53.3 percent of chronic migraineurs. Of the 382 patients who gave reasons for discontinuation or switching treatment, over 70 percent selected lack of efficacy and tolerability/safety (2).   Despite taking acute and/or preventive treatments, 29.2 percent of episodic cases and 73.2 percent of chronic ones had moderate to severe headaches related to disability (2).    Stress is a common trigger for migraines, playing a role in almost 70 percent of cases (3). It also increases the risk of turning episodic migraines into chronic migraines.   Body mind therapies play a role in the response to stress. Yo

   A recent study showed that yoga can help people with recurrent vasovagal syncope.  How common is vasovagal syncope?   Vasovagal syncope is the most common syncope in adults. It comprises more than 85 % of syncopal events in people age 40 or less. In geriatric patients vasovagal syncope is responsible for at least fifty percent of syncopal episodes.   What is a vasovagal syncope?    A vasovagal syncope happens when there is a transient loss of consciousness due to a temporary reduced perfusion of the brain as a result of a sudden decrease in blood pressure and heart rate. In this kind of syncope there is a sudden autonomic response to pain or emotional distress, but in some cases the trigger is not clear. However, it is important to know that the healthcare professional needs to rule out other causes of the syncope before establishing the diagnosis of vasovagal syncope. Being thorough in the approach of a patient with syncope is crucial to make the right diagnosis.   Seve

    Good quality sleep is necessary for physical and mental health. In the case of children and adolescents sleep is a crucial pillar of physiological, psychological and emotional development (1). Despite the need to prioritize sleep to support health and normal development, a study found that only 15.6 percent of middle school students meet the optimal nine hours of sleep recommended by the National Sleep Foundation. 46 percent of students sleep less than seven hours per night (2 and 3).   Children in communities of low socioeconomic status experience even shorter sleep duration and poorer quality of sleep (4 and 5). As a result of this, they are more likely to have behavioral problems, poor academic performance, risky behaviors and obesity. Many factors play a role in the dysregulation of sleep in children of lower socioeconomic status such as social and family stress, food and housing insecurity, crowded and/or noisy environments.   Early interventions that teach children to cop

    Stress and burnout can lead to decreased job satisfaction, poor performance and negative outcomes. Research from different countries has shown that the COVID-19 pandemic is associated with high levels of anxiety, depression, stress and burnout among healthcare workers (1, 2, 3 and 4).   In view of the critical situation caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, organizational approaches are required to handle these issues and support the workers. Improvement of work conditions and emotional support (5) are necessary to support the health and performance of the staff.   A recent study published by the Journal of Occupational Health explored the benefits of yoga for healthcare workers (6). The COVID-19 pandemic has caused stress in healthcare workers across the world. Long hours, overwork, shift work, inadequate staffing, emotional demands, administrative burdens, and physical workplace hazards contribute to stress.   Stress reduction programs have the potential to help when they are us

  A clue to understand the potential effects of yoga on the brain is the increase of serum brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). Physical exercise is associated with an increase of this neuromodulator that has a crucial role in ameliorating the function of the brain (1).   This neurotrophin is a mediator of cognitive enhancement. It supports memory function through molecular and cellular mechanisms that help to strengthen communication between neurons (synapsis). This is relevant to the plastic changes that happen in the brain.   The central nervous system is designed to perceive stimuli and to adapt to the environment in response to the information it receives. In these dynamic processes neuroplasticity of the brain plays a role. Neuroplasticity is what happens to the brain when it strengthens neural pathways and enhances the interactions between neurons to learn and gain knowledge in response to stimulation. BDNF is part of this process.   Studies have shown that physical e

    Yoga involves breathing exercises (pranayama), physical poses (asanas) and meditation. Emerging research suggests positive associations between regular yoga practice and changes in different areas of the brain. These differences have been shown in the structure of the brain, but some studies were also able to find a functional correlation.   A research report by Gothe and colleagues published in December 2019 by the Journal Brain Plasticity explored the studies (1). MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) was used to investigate the possible effects of a regular practice on the structure of the brain comparing yoga practitioners with people who don't practice yoga. For example, a cross-sectional study done in women over the age of 60 by Alfonso and colleagues found differences in cortical thickness in women with eight or more years of Hatha Yoga experience compared to women who did not practice yoga (2).   It is important to make clear that participants from both groups were match

   Ninety percent of women of reproductive age experience at least one symptom of PMS (premenstrual syndrome) at some point in their lives. PMS, or premenstrual syndrome, refers to the cyclic symptoms that start one to two weeks before menstruation (luteal phase), and resolve within four days of the onset of menses (1). The symptoms can be physical, cognitive, behavioral and/or emotional. In only five percent of cases the syndrome is severe enough to be considered a premenstrual dysphoric disorder (1). The prevalence of PMS is variable (30-50%) and the data depend on the sources cited. The variability may be related to the fact that the foundation to alleviate and control these symptoms relies on exercise, balanced nutrition and good quality of sleep. When exercise, balanced nutrition and sleep are optimal, the symptoms of PMS may not affect the quality of life of the women who experience symptoms of PMS. The etiology of PMR is multifactorial and the effects of the fluctuations