The journal of alternative and complementary medicine : research on paradigm, practice, and policy
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J Altern Complement Med · Oct 2012
Randomized Controlled TrialYoga Nidra relaxation increases heart rate variability and is unaffected by a prior bout of Hatha yoga.
The measurement of heart rate variability (HRV) is often applied as an index of autonomic nervous system (ANS) balance and, therefore, myocardial stability. Previous studies have suggested that relaxation or mind-body exercise can influence ANS balance positively as measured by HRV but may act via different mechanisms. No studies, to the authors' knowledge, have examined the acute response in HRV to interventions combining relaxation and mind-body exercise. The objective of this study was to compare the acute HRV responses to Yoga Nidra relaxation alone versus Yoga Nidra relaxation preceded by Hatha yoga. ⋯ These changes demonstrate a favorable shift in autonomic balance to the parasympathetic branch of the ANS for both conditions, and that Yoga Nidra relaxation produces favorable changes in measures of HRV whether alone or preceded by a bout of Hatha yoga.
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J Altern Complement Med · Aug 2012
Randomized Controlled TrialYoga training improves quality of life in women with asthma.
Individuals with asthma frequently suffer with a decrease in quality of life. Yoga has been shown to improve autonomic function in the healthy population and has been used as an alternative therapy to help improve symptoms associated with various diseases. ⋯ Yoga training improved quality of life in women with mild-to-moderate asthma and resulted in decreased parasympathetic and increased sympathetic modulation in response to an IFE.
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J Altern Complement Med · May 2012
Randomized Controlled TrialEffects of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation on motion sickness induced by rotary chair: a crossover study.
Motion sickness (MS) is evoked by the conflict among somatosensory, visual, and vestibular input. Some of the MS symptoms and signs are mediated by activation of the autonomic nervous system (ANS). Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS), a maneuver used for pain control, was found to influence cardiovascular responses through ANS reflex, and to enhance motor function, visuospatial abilities, postural control, and cognitive function. The purpose of the present study is to investigate the effects of TENS on MS. ⋯ Sympathetic activity increased but parasympathetic activity decreased during MS. TENS was effective in reducing MS symptoms as well as alleviating cognitive impairment.
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J Altern Complement Med · May 2012
Randomized Controlled TrialYoga breathing for cancer chemotherapy-associated symptoms and quality of life: results of a pilot randomized controlled trial.
Many debilitating symptoms arise from cancer and its treatment that are often unrelieved by established methods. Pranayama, a series of yogic breathing techniques, may improve cancer-related symptoms and quality of life, but it has not been studied for this purpose. ⋯ Yoga breathing was a feasible intervention among patients with cancer receiving chemotherapy. Pranayama may improve sleep disturbance, anxiety, and mental quality of life. A dose-response relationship was found between pranayama use and improvements in chemotherapy-associated symptoms and quality of life. These findings need to be confirmed in a larger study.
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J Altern Complement Med · May 2012
Randomized Controlled TrialEffects of physical therapy on pain and mood in patients with terminal cancer: a pilot randomized clinical trial.
The objective of this study was to determine the effects of physical therapy, including massage and exercise, on pain and mood in patients with advanced terminal cancer. ⋯ The combination of massage and exercises can reduce pain and improve mood in patients with terminal cancer. A sustained effect on pain and psychologic distress existed; however, parameters such as physical distress and the least pain were no greater in the intervention group as compared to the sham.