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The aim of this study was to determine factors associated with participation of community-dwelling older Australians (≥65 years) in the Exercise Right for Active Ageing program, consisting of 12 low- to moderate-intensity group exercise classes, delivered weekly, in person or online, by accredited exercise scientists and physiologists across Australia. Out of 6,949 participants recruited, 6,626 (95%) attended one or more classes and were included in the primary analysis, and 49% of participants attended all 12 classes. Factors associated with higher class attendance included participation in yoga/flexibility/mobility classes, attendance at a free trial class (adjusted incidence rate ratio [95% confidence interval]: 1.05 [1.03, 1.08]), and attending online classes (1.19 [1.11, 1.26]). Factors associated with lower class attendance included state of residence, living in inner regional areas (0.95 [0.93, 0.98]), and having two or more comorbidities (0.97 [0.95, 0.99]). High class attendance suggests that the Exercise Right for Active Ageing program was well received by older Australians, particularly in states less impacted by COVID-19 lockdowns. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Investigating the effects of breaking up sedentary behavior with short bouts of Yoga and Tai-Chi on glycemic control, concentration, and well-being in healthy individuals. Methods: In this randomized balanced incomplete block study, 15 adults (age = 26 [2.50] y, 8 females) completed 2 of 3 protocols: uninterrupted sitting (Control), sitting interrupted with 3 minutes of Yoga every 30 minutes, or with 3 minutes of Tai-Chi every 30 minutes. Protocols lasted 7.5 hours and included a standardized diet. Glucose was measured every 30 minutes with a glucometer (Abbott FreeStyle Libre). Concentration and well-being were recorded with self-reported ecological momentary assessment. Area under the curve was calculated for glucose data. Statistical analyses were performed as a hierarchical repeated-measures model. Results: Glucose area under the curve for the Yoga intervention (34.55 [3.12] mmol/L) was significantly lower than the Control (38.14 [3.18] mmol/L; P <.05). There was a trend toward lower glucose in the Tai-Chi group compared with the Control, but no significant differences were found (AUCTai-Chi = 36.64 [3.11] mmol/L; P =.57). Mean concentration in all groups decreased throughout the day, with the largest decrease in the Control. Well-being for the Yoga and Control groups decreased but increased with Tai-Chi. Concentration and well-being responses were not statistically significant between intervention groups. Conclusions: Breaking up sedentary behavior using 3-minute bouts of Yoga significantly lowers blood glucose in healthy individuals without compromising concentration or well-being. Tai-Chi did not provide the same significant effect on glucose levels but allowed better maintenance of concentration and well-being. These interventions provide effective ways to combat the deleterious effects of prolonged sedentary time while maintaining concentration and well-being. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Synergistic effects of yoga or physical exercise (PE) along with protein supplementation on children's muscle function in rural India have not been studied. Hence, we aimed to study the effect of yoga and PE along with protein supplementation on muscle function in healthy 6- to 11-year-old rural Indian children post 6 months of intervention. Methods: A randomized controlled trial on 232 children, recruited into 3 groups, each receiving 1 protein-rich ladoo (148 kcal, 7 g protein/40 g ladoo–an Indian sweet snack) daily and performing (1) yoga (n = 78) for 30 minutes 5 times per week, (2) PE (n = 76) for 30 minutes 5 times per week, or (3) control group (n = 78) no additional exercise. Maximum power, maximum voluntary force (Fmax), and grip strength (GS) were measured. Data were analyzed using paired t tests and a 2-way mixed analysis of variance with post hoc Bonferroni adjustment. Results: GS, maximum power, and Fmax within yoga group increased significantly (P <.05) from baseline to endline. GS and Fmax increased significantly within PE group postintervention (P <.001). In controls, GS increased (P <.05) at endline. No significant effect of the intervention was observed on the change in maximum power (P >.05) postintervention. The 2 exercise groups showed significant increase in Fmax compared with the control group (P <.05). Similarly, increase in GS was significantly higher in both the exercise groups compared with the control group (P <.05). No significant difference was observed in change in muscle function between the 2 exercise groups (P >.05). Conclusions: Structured physical activity along with protein supplementation resulted in improved muscle function in children. Yoga and PE showed a comparable impact on muscle force. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, mind–body exercises have arisen as a popular type of physical exercise among older adults in both Eastern and Western countries. In the last 10 years, yoga has been established as a key physical activity intervention for older adults. Thus, the literature on yoga interventions delivered in community settings for older adults warrants a formal appraisal. This scoping review synthesized information on intervention contents and outcomes and summarized data on attrition, adherence, and adverse events for community health practitioners. In addition, this review used the Template for Intervention Description and Replication and the Population, Intervention, Comparator, Outcome checklist to identify areas of depth and gaps in the literature on yoga interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To develop a systematic review with meta-analysis to summarize the effectiveness of exercise, regular physical activity, and mind-body exercise on harmful exercise habits, psychological factors, and quality of life in people clinically diagnosed with feeding and eating disorders. Material and methods: Randomized clinical trials and pilot randomized clinical trials were considered. Results: Twelve studies were included. No studies evaluated athletes. No studies examined regular physical activity as the targeted intervention. Quality of life could not be meta-analyzed. Overall, meta-analyses showed that exercise or mind-body exercise was not more effective than controls in reducing depression symptoms, harmful exercise habits, eating behaviors, or emotional regulation skills. However, important methodological and clinical issues were detected in the included studies. This affected the certainty of evidence of the meta-analyzed outcomes which ranged from low to very low. No studies reported in sufficient detail their interventions to be replicated. Conclusions: Overall, exercise and mind-body exercise may be ineffective in improving meta-analyzed outcomes. However, the certainty of evidence ranged from low to very low and the body of knowledge in this field needs to be increased to reach robust conclusions. IMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILITATION: Exercise and mind-boy exercises were not more effective than controls for eating behaviors in eating disorders. Exercise and mind-boy exercises were not more effective than controls for depression symptoms in eating disorders. Clinicians should be aware no specific exercises can be recommended for treating psychological factors in eating disorders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

PurposeMethodResultsDiscussion/Conclusion: This study explores how an innovative yoga curriculum facilitated students’ embodied learning and aesthetic experiences.: A qualitative case study was conducted at a top university in China. Data were collected through classroom observations and an online survey that included semi-structured free-writing exercises completed by student participants. Thematic analysis was applied to identify key themes, and collaborative coding and reflexive practices ensured the rigour and trustworthiness of the findings.: This study identifies three key themes that illustrate the transformative impact of an embodied yoga curriculum in higher education. Students reported enhanced physical awareness, emotional balance, and cultural appreciation while deepening creativity, teamwork, and reflective dialogue through the integration of yoga, poetic expression, and collaborative projects.: The success of this programme in fostering a balanced and enriched learning environment suggests a promising direction for future educational practices, where the synergy between physical movement, cultural engagement, and community engagement can significantly enhance student wellbeing and learning outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To investigate the effects of a 12 weeks yoga program three times a week for one hour on blood pressure and sexual life among hypertensive women. Methods: This study was a pre-post test randomized controlled trial (NCT06319365) performed in accordance with the CONSORT guidelines. This study was conducted in a public hospital in Turkey between June 15, 2022 and October 30, 2022. Data were collected by blood pressure measurements, Personal Information Form and Arizona Sexual Experience Scale. The sessions of the yoga group were conducted online for one hour three days a week for 12 weeks. The control group did not receive any intervention during the study. No side effects were recorded throughout the study. Results: Participants in the yoga group had significantly lower systolic and diastolic blood pressure compared to the control group (p<0.001). In addition, women in the yoga group showed significant improvements in sexual activity, arousal, orgasm, lubrication and overall sexual function (p<0.05). Conclusion: A 12-week, three times a week yoga program reduced blood pressure and positively affected sexual functioning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: This systematic review of 18 RCTs assessed the impact of yoga on balance, fall risk, fear of falling, bone mineral density (BMD), and bone turnover markers in healthy individuals. Yoga significantly improved balance but its effects on BMD were inconclusive. Standardised protocols and longer-term studies are needed. Background: Yoga's effects on interconnected bone health parameters viz balance, falls, fear of falling (FOF), bone mineral density (BMD), and bone turnover markers (BTMs) in healthy individuals are unclear. We critically evaluated randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that compared yoga to no intervention control (NIC) or comparators such as Tai Chi, on these parameters in healthy individuals. Methods: We systematically searched multiple scientific data bases using a predefined protocol. We summarized data qualitatively when there was heterogeneity in reporting. A meta-analysis of those studies comparing yoga to NIC was done. Since the included studies used different scales for the same outcomes, we used standardised mean differences (SMDs) to allow pooling. We assessed the risk of bias with the Cochrane RoB2 tool for randomized trials and graded certainty of evidence using the GRADE approach. Results: Eighteen RCTs with 1408 participants were evaluated. Fifteen explored yoga's effects on balance and/or falls or FOF, and three RCTs, its effect on BMD and BTMs. Yoga types included Hatha, Vinyasa, Ashtanga, Iyengar, Bikram, and specially designed yoga protocols. Twenty-four kinds of balance assessment tools were used in the studies. Study durations varied from 6 weeks to 14 months. Almost all the studies reported positive effects of yoga on balance compared to NIC, and non-inferiority when compared to active interventions such as Tai Chi. Meta-analysis of four RCTs comparing yoga to NIC demonstrated significant improvements in static balance with yoga (SMD = 2.36; 95% CI 1.13–3.58; P = 0.0002, I2 = 93% ⊕ ⊕ ⊝ ⊝). Yoga's effects on falls and FOF were mixed. Two studies showed a positive effect of yoga on bone formation. Yoga was found to have a positive effect on BMD in only one study. Meta-analysis of two RCTs showed no significant effect on BMD for yoga compared to NIC. The studies exhibited substantial heterogeneity in terms of yoga styles, intervention durations, and assessment methods. Conclusion: In healthy adults, low certainty evidence shows that yoga has a beneficial effect on balance. Its effect on BMD remains unclear. Standardised protocols and longer-term research are necessary to facilitate more definitive conclusions on yoga's role in enhancing skeletal health and preventing falls. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Incarceration represents an opportune moment to improve self-management of anger and aggression. A hatha yoga-based intervention (YBI) could serve as a useful adjunctive intervention for anger within prisons. Methods: We enrolled 40 people with elevated levels of anger who were incarcerated (20 in a women's facility, and 20 in a men's facility) in a 10-week pilot randomized controlled trial of a YBI versus. a health education (HE) control group. Participants attended their respective groups once per week. We examined indices of feasibility and acceptability, including intervention credibility, expectancy the intervention would be helpful, intervention satisfaction, class attendance, engagement in personal practice, instructor fidelity, intervention safety, and study recruitment and retention rates. We also examined changes in clinical outcomes including anger, depression, anxiety, and behavioral infractions over time. Results: We met targets for several outcomes: credibility of the YBI and HE interventions, expectancy that they would be helpful, and satisfaction with the programs. Instructors demonstrated fidelity to both manuals. There were no serious adverse events related to study participation. Class attendance did not meet our target outcome in either facility and rates of personal practice met our target outcome in the men's but not the women's facility. For people enrolled in the YBI, anger, depression, and anxiety tended to decrease over time. Qualitative interviews with participants pointed to overall high satisfaction with the YBI and provided information on facility-related barriers to class attendance. Conclusion: Although we did not meet all our feasibility targets in this study, we note high participant enthusiasm. Thus, we believe this line of research is worth pursuing, with further attention to ways to decrease facility-related barriers to class attendance and personal practice. Clinical trials registration: NCT05336123 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The addition of meditation and yoga to standard interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome care improved treatment response, decreased symptoms, and decreased treatment escalation. OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether yoga and meditation added to usual care improves treatment response in women with interstitial cystitis–bladder pain syndrome. METHODS: This randomized trial compared women with interstitial cystitis–bladder pain syndrome receiving standard care alone (control group) with those receiving standard care plus meditation and yoga (mind–body group). Standard care was defined as behavioral changes or medications recommended by the American Urological Association. Individuals in the control group received standard care, and those in the mind–body group received standard care augmented with a commercially available meditation application and standardized yoga tutorial video. Both groups continued their current interstitial cystitis–bladder pain syndrome standard care treatments. The primary outcome was the modified GRA (Global Response Assessment), comparing responders (moderately, markedly improved) with nonresponders at 12 weeks. On power analysis assuming α=5% and β=80%, a sample size of 82 participants was required to find 30% difference on the GRA between groups. Weekly GRA scores over 12 weeks were also compared. Secondary outcomes included ICPI (Interstitial Cystitis Problem Index)/ICSI (Interstitial Cystitis Symptom Index), pain, pain interference, anxiety/depression, and self-efficacy scores and treatment escalation over 12 weeks. RESULTS: Among 97 randomized participants (49 mind–body group, 48 control group), groups did not differ in characteristics or symptoms at baseline. The mind–body group had more GRA responders compared with the control group at 12 weeks (31/43 [72.1%] vs 10/39 [25.6%], relative risk [RR] 2.8, 95% CI, 1.6–4.6), corroborated by superior weekly GRA results over 12 weeks. The mind–body group had superior beneficial change on the ICPI (RR 1.8, 95% CI, 0.5–3.1), ICSI (RR 1.9, 95% CI, 0.2–3.6), and pain (RR 1.4, 95% CI, 0.4–2.5) scores than the control group at 12 weeks. The mind–body group required less treatment escalation than the control group (2/45 [4.4%] vs 14/42 [33.3%], RR 0.13, 95% CI, 0.03–0.55). CONCLUSION: The addition of meditation and yoga to standard interstitial cystitis–bladder pain syndrome care was associated with improved treatment response and required fewer additional interventions compared with standard care alone. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT04820855. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: This study aimed to compare the effects of laughter yoga and music intervention on depression, anxiety, and stress in aged individuals referred to Rafsanjan health centers. Method: In this 3-arm randomized clinical trial, 91 depressed aged participants aged 60–75 years, referred to Rafsanjan health centers, were randomly assigned to intervention and control groups. The study followed a parallel group design with an allocation ratio of 1:1. The laughter yoga intervention was conducted twice a week for eight weeks, and music intervention consisted of 30-min sessions twice a week for eight weeks. The control group received no intervention ('No treatment' concurrent control). Assessments for depressive symptoms (primary outcome), anxiety, and stress were conducted at baseline, post-intervention, and one month after the intervention. Results: A total of 84 patients were analyzed in three groups included the laughter yoga intervention (n = 31), music intervention (n = 25), or control group (n = 28). Repeated measures ANOVA revealed a significant decrease in depressive and anxiety symptoms (p < 0.001) from pre-test to post-test and one-month follow-ups. The greatest impact of the intervention programs on stress was observed immediately after the intervention, but stress increased one month after the intervention programs (p = 0.125). Conclusion: Both laughter yoga and music interventions proved effective in improving depression, anxiety, and stress in aged individuals. However, laughter yoga intervention demonstrated a superior effect and better acceptance among elders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Background: Physical exercise seems to have positive effects regarding the rehabilitation of alcohol-use disorders patients. However, there is still no consensus in the literature, and it is still unclear which type of exercise is optimal. The objectives of this review were to explore the benefits of exercise in this population as well as the specific type of exercise that should be prescribed. Methods: In accordance with the Prisma statement, Scopus, PubMed, and Web of Science databases were consulted. 31 articles were selected. PEDro scale was used to analyze the methodological quality of the included studies. Results: Aerobic and mixed exercise showed benefits for physical fitness, anxiety, and depression. Vigorous aerobic exercise intensity can reduce craving and encourage abstinence. Yoga appears to be effective at improving quality of life and reducing stress, depression, and craving levels. When exercise is performed at moderate or vigorous intensity, aerobic exercise has a greater acute effect on craving than when it is performed at a light intensity. Similarly, long-term results were slighter better when exercise intensity and number of weekly sessions were greater. Conclusion: It is recommended to include aerobic, aerobic-strength or yoga programs in order to improve the recovery process in alcohol disorders patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/Objectives: Academic libraries offer a range of activities and initiatives for their students and community users. However, wellbeing, as a concept in academic libraries, is not very well defined and is poorly understood. The objective of this scoping review was to examine the role of academic libraries in student and community wellbeing, identify the various kinds of activities and initiatives that they carry out to address their wellbeing, and uncover gaps that might require further research. Methods: An extensive search was conducted in the Library Information Sciences Association (LISA), Education Resources Information Centre (ERIC), Medline (OVID), Scopus, and Web of Science (WOS) databases. Grey literature was searched on a selection of library websites and digital repositories. Data were extracted from studies that met the inclusion criteria for the scoping review. Themes were identified by the authors and reported as a narrative summary. Results: Of the 5437 records identified, a total of 40 documents were included in this scoping review. The authors identified 11 different kinds of activities and initiatives carried out in academic libraries that promote student and community wellbeing, i.e., (1) animal-assisted activities; (2) facilitating dialogues about belonging and identity; (3) fun recreational activities; (4) study support; (5) physical activity promotion; (6) meditation, yoga, and mindfulness; (7) book clubs; (8) art exhibitions; (9) technology and digital support; (10) free food and tea; and (11) health awareness. These activities were found to promote the physical, emotional, and social wellbeing of student and community users. Conclusions: This review highlights the need for further systematic research on the long-term effects of wellbeing initiatives and activities on both student and community users, and how they might impact aspects of wellbeing for specific population groups such as senior citizens and LGBTQIA members. This scoping review demonstrates the potential of academic libraries in promoting health and wellbeing for their users. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The evidence showed that the risk of falls was higher in women, and yoga was considered an effective rehabilitation method for preventing falls. However, there had been no previous attempts to synthesize the evidence specifically for the use of yoga in preventing falls among older women. Objectives: This systematic review aimed to strengthen the existing body of evidence by focusing exclusively on the impact of yoga in improving fall-related physical functions among older women. Methods: A systematic review was conducted following the PRISMA guidelines. The protocol was developed in advance of the study and registered on PROSPERO (Registration number: CRD42024506550). Results: The effects of yoga on balance, gait, and lower-limb strength were inconsistent. It showed that yoga programs designed to prevent falls in older women might not demonstrate the same effectiveness as those identified in previous systematic reviews for the general older adult population. Conclusions: This systematic review is the first to exclusively explore the impact of yoga on fall-related physical functions in older women. However, this review did not directly observe a definitive effect of yoga on fall prevention in older women. Future studies should delve deeper into identifying appropriate yoga postures and determining the optimal dose required to enhance physical function and prevent falls. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Laughter yoga has a positive effect on the person's mental/general health, life satisfaction and psychological well-being and enables the person to cope with stress. Objective: This randomized controlled study was conducted to determine the effect of laughter yoga practiced by first year nursing students before clinical practice on their perceptions of stress and meaning of life. Method: In this experimental randomized and controlled study including a control group, we administered a pre-test, post-test one and post-test two to the participating students. Ninety nursing students who met the inclusion criteria comprised the study sample. The students in the intervention group took part in eight sessions of laughter yoga for four weeks, twice a week. The Descriptive Information Form, Perceived Stress Scale, and Meaning and Purpose of Life Scale were administered to collect the study data. Results: The mean age of the students in the intervention and control groups was 19.65 ± 2.27 and 19.18 ± 1.01 years, respectively. Of the participants in both groups, 91.1% were women, and 97.8% were single. The difference between the mean scores obtained from the Perceived Stress Scale and the Meaning and Purpose of Life Scale by the students in the intervention group at the pre- and posttest were statistically significant (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Laughter yoga positively affects nursing students' perceptions of stress and meaning and purpose of life. Trial registration: Trial Registration number and Date of registration: NCT06042959 / 09/14/2023 06:17. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

All healthcare therapies are grouped into mainstream (allopathy) and complementary and alternative therapies (CAT). Yoga is a popular therapy that falls under CAT. People practice yoga to maintain and improve their health. Yoga consists of hundreds of postures, each with its own benefits and contraindications. Practicing Yoga requires a careful selection of appropriate asanas (that loosely translates to postures) at an individual level. We investigated the top 100 websites provided by Google when we searched for yoga asanas keywords. We discovered that all these websites provide generic recommendations to the users. Such recommendations could harm rather than help a user. In this work, we propose a personalized Yoga Assistant (YA) that consists of a data collection and preprocessing module and an Asanas Recommendation Engine (ARE). We have implemented ARE using state-of-the-art natural language processing (NLP) techniques, including BERT (Bidirectional Encoder Representations from Transformers), for data encoding. Ours is a multi-label learning model that uses the cosine similarity function to rank classes. We curated and developed a multi-label dataset consisting of 140 asanas that are easy (for beginners) or of intermediate difficulty level, enabling us to conduct thorough investigations into yoga asanas recommendations. The system suggests up to 15 asanas to a user based on her health conditions that she can safely practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Evidence about rehabilitation of post COVID-19 condition is scarce. Yoga has been found beneficial in other chronic conditions and can be delivered in a digital format at home. The aim of the study was to explore the feasibility of teleyoga in persons with post COVID-19 condition by assessing adherence, safety, limited efficacy and experiences. Methods: Pre-post mixed-method design. Participants were recruited from a post COVID-19 rehabilitation clinic. The intervention included standardised live-streamed teleyoga sessions twice/week for 7 weeks and individual yoga using a digital application during 12 weeks. Adherence to the teleyoga intervention was measured by registration of participation and by analysing the log in the application. Safety was measured by registration of serious adverse events. Limited efficacy examined trends in the predicted direction for better outcome in patients with a post-COVID condition in the 6-minute walk test, gait speed, cognition, health-related quality-of-life, mental distress, sleep and exercise motivation. We also assessed patients' experiences after the intervention. Results: Nine women and 2 men were enrolled, aged between 27 and 61 years, and duration of post COVID-19 3–12 months. Adherence: Half of the participants participated in more than 50% of the online yoga sessions. They enjoyed the digital format and the social aspect of the online yoga sessions. Some participants experienced that the yoga sessions of 60 min were too long. People with post COVID-19 felt motivated to participate, however they felt conflicted when other commitments took time away from yoga. Adherence to the yoga application varied, 6 patients used it less than 50% of the recommended time. Safety: Persons with post COVID-19 experienced symptoms due to their disease, which could increase during the yoga sessions that made it harder to participate. There were no reported serious adverse events. Limited efficacy: Participants expressed that they breathed more consciously and experienced relaxation and reduction of stress and anxiety. After 7 weeks of teleyoga there was a significant improvement in cognitive function (p-value = 0.048). No differences were found in the physical tests, health-related quality-of-life, anxiety and depression, sleep or in exercise motivation. Conclusion: Adherence to the online yoga sessions was quite low and might be improved with shorter yoga sessions. Online yoga was safe, but some participants experienced an increase in symptoms. Teleyoga was associated with improved cognition, breathing and relaxation. The results show that online yoga could be feasible for people post COVID-19, but adaptation of the yoga-program may be required, especially as many patients experience an increase of symptoms. Furthermore, the teleyoga should be more flexible with regards to the duration and the number of sessions. As few participants were adherent to the application, the relevance and usefulness of this needs to be further explored. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: This study aims to compare the effects of Tai Chi, yoga, and resistance training on balance function in healthy elderly individuals and patients with Parkinson's disease (PD). Given the well-documented benefits of these three exercise types in enhancing balance and motor function, it is crucial to assess their differential impacts. Methods: A comprehensive search was conducted across PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and Cochrane Library databases through December 2023. Articles were selected based on predefined criteria, screened, and evaluated by two independent researchers who also extracted study characteristics. The risk of bias was assessed using the Cochrane risk of bias tool. The primary outcome measures were the Berg Balance Scale and the Timed Up and Go test, while the secondary measure was the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale Part III. A random effects model was employed, and heterogeneity was measured using the I 2 statistic. Results: Of the 21 studies reviewed, 9 focused on healthy older adults and 12 targeted individuals with PD. The meta-analysis showed that Tai Chi, yoga, and resistance training significantly improved balance in patients with PD compared to control groups (p < 0.00001). Resistance training was most effective in enhancing dynamic balance in healthy older adults (p = 0.003), while Tai Chi had the most significant impact on balance improvement in PD patients (p < 0.00001). Notably, interventions conducted three to four times per week, each lasting 50–60 min and continued over 12 weeks, yielded the most substantial balance improvements. Conclusion: Comparative analyses demonstrate that Tai Chi, yoga, and resistance training significantly enhance balance and motor function. Specifically, resistance training markedly improves dynamic balance in healthy elderly individuals, while Tai Chi shows pronounced improvements in motor function and balance for PD patients. Optimal balance improvements are achieved by performing interventions three to four times per week, with each session lasting 50–60 min, over 12 weeks. Systematic review registration: https://inplasy.com/ , identifier INPLASY202470042. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction and Hypothesis: This study examines the effectiveness of yoga intervention on the early postpartum recovery of pelvic organ positions. Methods: A prospective study was conducted from May to November 2020, involving women who had vaginal deliveries and underwent pelvic floor ultrasound examinations. The control group received no intervention, whereas the experimental group participated in weekly 60-min yoga sessions from 1 week to 3 months postpartum. Pelvic organ positions, including the bladder neck, uterus, and rectal ampulla, were measured via ultrasound at rest and during the Valsalva maneuver at 42 days and 3 months postpartum. The effectiveness of yoga was assessed using t tests. Results: A total of 128 women participated, with 66 in the control group and 62 in the experimental group. There were no significant differences between groups in age, parity, BMI, or fetal weight (p > 0.05). At 42 days postpartum, there were no significant changes in bladder neck and uterine positions at rest, except for a significant decrease in rectal ampulla position in the control group (p < 0.01). During the Valsalva maneuver, the experimental group showed significant improvement in all pelvic organ positions at 3 months compared with 42 days (p < 0.001), with better outcomes than the control group (p < 0.001). Conclusion: Yoga intervention supports early postpartum recovery of pelvic organ positions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The provision of mental health care is currently inadequate worldwide. A need for innovative, accessible, and evidence-based mental health interventions has been identified. This study explored the potential use of yoga nidra practice as mental health intervention through reviewing current relevant evidence. Sixteen studies were examined, revealing the effectiveness of yoga nidra in stress, depression, and anxiety. Though evidence was limited, yoga nidra also seemed to be effective in posttraumatic stress disorder and psychological well-being. In view of the findings, yoga nidra may warrant consideration as a preventive and therapeutic mental health strategy. Implications for clinical practice and recommendations for future research are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/Objectives: Cardiovascular diseases are a leading cause of death, and psychosocial stress is considered a contributing factor to these issues. With the rising number of heart surgeries, proper rehabilitation post-surgery is essential. Previous studies have demonstrated the positive impact of yoga and transcendental meditation on the cardiovascular system. This pilot study aimed to investigate the effects of yoga and transcendental meditation on retinal microcirculation in cardiac patients before (admission), after (discharge), and following (3 weeks after discharge) rehabilitation. Methods: This study examined changes in retinal microcirculation in three rehabilitation groups of patients after heart surgery. The control group received standard exercise therapy, while the meditation group incorporated 20 min of meditation, and the yoga group incorporated 20 min of yoga practice, twice per day for the duration of four weeks of rehabilitation. Retinal images were captured using a non-mydriatic digital retinal camera (Canon CR-2, Canon Medical Systems Europe B.V., Netherlands), and the microcirculation parameters central retinal artery equivalent, central retinal vein equivalent, and artery-to-vein ratio were analyzed using MONA REVA software ((version 2.1.1), VITO, Mol, Belgium). Repeated measures ANOVA was performed to evaluate differences between the three groups in the course of rehabilitation. Results: None of the parameters revealed significant differences in retinal microcirculation between the three rehabilitation groups. Conclusions: The study evaluating changes in retinal microcirculation, as an indicator of central circulation in cardiac patients undergoing rehabilitation, did not observe any significant changes. As yoga and meditation are underestimated approaches in cardiac rehabilitation, this pilot study acts as a basis for providing preliminary information for future studies to encourage the research community to fill the gap in this area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: This study aimed to adapt, validate, and evaluate the feasibility of a mindful exercise program (Mindful Standing Yoga combined with Baduanjin) for older patients with primary osteoporosis. Methods: The study was conducted in 3 stages. Stage 1 involved a qualitative focus group discussion with 6 experts to gather perspectives on modifying the exercise program. Stage 2 used a Delphi approach with another 6 experts to validate the program. In Stage 3, a feasibility study was conducted with 20 eligible patients (out of 23 initially enrolled) at a traditional Chinese medicine hospital, using a single-group pre- and posttest design. The strenuousness of the adapted exercise was assessed through heart rate (HR) and rating of perceived exertion (RPE). Its effects were measured using the Global Pain Scale (GPS), the Five Facets Mindfulness Questionnaire—Short Form (FFMQ-SF), the Tampa Kinesiophobia-11 Scale, and the Timed Up and Go test. Patient satisfaction and feedback were also collected. Results: The modified program, consisting of 9 movements and taking 30 min to complete, was validated by experts as suitable, safe, and effective for practice. HR and RPE measurements confirmed it as a low-intensity exercise and not strenuous for the study population. The program significantly improved back pain and mindfulness in the feasibility study, with most participants expressing satisfaction with the protocol. Conclusion: Experts and participants affirmed that the program was appropriate and satisfactory for older patients with primary osteoporosis, particularly those with back pain. Further high-quality randomized controlled trials are needed to validate its effectiveness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]