Effect of yoga on cardiovascular functions and psychological aspects of people on public service-related work: an exploratory study

Y. Deepa; A. Mooventhan; Edmin Christa; C.A. Kayelarasi

doi:10.1515/jcim-2021-0107

Article

Effect of yoga on cardiovascular functions and psychological aspects of people on public service-related work: an exploratory study

Y. Deepa , A. Mooventhan , Edmin Christa and C.A. Kayelarasi

Published/Copyright: July 9, 2021

Published by

Become an author with De Gruyter Brill

Submit Manuscript Author Information Explore this Subject

From the journal Journal of Complementary and Integrative Medicine Volume 19 Issue 4

Abstract

Objectives

Yoga is increasingly being introduced in workplace settings to improve health and well-being. However, there is a lack of studies reporting the effect of yoga in people on public service-related work, who are at high risk for various health-related problems. Thus, the objective of this study was to find the effect of yoga on cardiovascular functions and psychological (stress, anxiety, and depression) aspects of people on public service-related work.

Methods

A single-group pre-test and post-test experimental study design was adopted. Eighty-two participants aged 41.52 ± 7.44 years who are working in the Tamil Nadu Public Service Commission were undergone 1-h of yoga (under the supervision of a yoga & naturopathy doctor) a day, 5-days a week for a period of 1-month at their office. Cardiovascular functions such as systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), and pulse rate (PR) were measured using an automatic BP monitor. Psychological variables such as stress, anxiety, and depression were measured using Depression Anxiety and Stress Scales (DASS) before and after the intervention.

Results

Results of this study showed a significant reduction in body mass index, SBP, DBP, PR, mean arterial pressure, rate pressure product, and double product. Though results showed insignificant (just missed the statistical significance [p=0.056]) reduction in anxiety, it showed clinical improvement (i.e. the mean anxiety score has reduced from moderate category to mild category). However, there is neither statistically significant nor clinical difference in stress and depression. None of the participants reported any untoward events during the study period.

Conclusions

Results suggest that yoga might improve the cardiovascular functions and anxiety of people in public service-related work. However, no such significant improvement was noted in their stress and depression levels. However, a randomized controlled trial is required to warrant the results of this study.

Keywords: blood pressure; public service; stress; work; yoga

Corresponding author: Dr. A. Mooventhan, MD (Naturopathy), Department of Research, Government Yoga and Naturopathy Medical College, Arumbakkam, Chennai 600106, Tamilnadu, India, Mobile: +91 9844457496, E-mail: dr.mooventhan@gmail.com

Research funding: None declared.
Author contributions: All authors have accepted responsibility for the entire content of this manuscript and approved its submission.
Competing interests: Authors state no conflict of interest.
Informed consent: Informed consent was obtained from all individuals included in this study.
Ethical approval: The study protocol was approved by the institutional ethics committee.

References

1. Spicker, P. The nature of a public service. Int J Publ Adm 2009;32:970–9.10.1080/01900690903050927Search in Google Scholar

2. Leka, S, Jain, A. World Health Organization. Health impact of psychosocial hazards at work: an overview, vol. 1. World Health Organization; 2010:89–4 pp.Search in Google Scholar

3. Cox, T, Leather, P, Cox, S. Stress and the public services. Work Stress 1988;2:277–9.10.1080/02678378808257488Search in Google Scholar

4. Woodyard, C. Exploring the therapeutic effects of yoga and its ability to increase quality of life. Int J Yoga 2011;4:49–54. https://doi.org/10.4103/0973-6131.85485.Search in Google Scholar PubMed PubMed Central

5. Büssing, A, Michalsen, A, Khalsa, SB, Telles, S, Sherman, KJ. Effects of yoga on mental and physical health: a short summary of reviews. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med 2012;2012:165410. https://doi.org/10.1155/2012/165410.Search in Google Scholar PubMed PubMed Central

6. Maddux, RE, Daukantaité, D, Tellhed, U. The effects of yoga on stress and psychological health among employees: an 8- and 16-week intervention study. Anxiety Stress Coping 2018;31:121–34. https://doi.org/10.1080/10615806.2017.1405261.Search in Google Scholar PubMed

7. Sreekumar, DM, Sasidharan, VR, Binu, AJ. Diseases and its cure through the great yogas study. Int J Med Health Res 2015;1:39–45.Search in Google Scholar

8. Hartfiel, N, Havenhand, J, Khalsa, SB, Clarke, G, Krayer, A. The effectiveness of yoga for the improvement of well-being and resilience to stress in the workplace. Scand J Work Environ Health 2011;37:70–6. https://doi.org/10.5271/sjweh.2916.Search in Google Scholar PubMed

9. Mooventhan, A. Immediate effect of ice bag application to head and spine on cardiovascular changes in healthy volunteers. Int J Health Allied Sci 2016;5:53–6.10.4103/2278-344X.173880Search in Google Scholar

10. Lovibond, SH, Lovibond, PF. Manual for the Depression Anxiety Stress Scales, 2nd ed. Sydney: Psychology Foundation; 1995.10.1037/t01004-000Search in Google Scholar

11. Nivethitha, L, Manjunath, NK, Mooventhan, A. Heart rate variability changes during and after the practice of Bhramari pranayama. Int J Yoga 2017;10:99–102. https://doi.org/10.4103/0973-6131.205518.Search in Google Scholar PubMed PubMed Central

12. Mooventhan, A, Nivethitha, L. Role of yoga in the prevention and management of various cardiovascular diseases and their risk factors: a comprehensive scientific evidence-based review. Explore (NY) 2020;16:257–63. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.explore.2020.02.007.Search in Google Scholar PubMed

13. Sesso, HD, Stampfer, MJ, Rosner, B, Hennekens, CH, Gaziano, JM, Manson, JE, et al.. Systolic and diastolic blood pressure, pulse pressure, and mean arterial pressure as predictors of cardiovascular disease risk in men. Hypertension 2000;36:801–7.10.1161/01.HYP.36.5.801Search in Google Scholar PubMed

14. Muralikrishnan, K, Balakrishnan, B, Balasubramanian, K, Visnegarawla, F. Measurement of the effect of Isha Yoga on cardiac autonomic nervous system using short-term heart rate variability. J Ayurveda Integr Med 2012;3:91–6.10.4103/0975-9476.96528Search in Google Scholar PubMed PubMed Central

15. Sarvottam, K, Yadav, RK. Obesity-related inflammation & cardiovascular disease: efficacy of a yoga-based lifestyle intervention. Indian J Med Res 2014;139:822–34.Search in Google Scholar

16. Cocchiara, RA, Peruzzo, M, Mannocci, A, Ottolenghi, L, Villari, P, Polimeni, A, et al.. The use of yoga to manage stress and burnout in healthcare workers: a systematic review. J Clin Med 2019;8:284. https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm8030284.Search in Google Scholar PubMed PubMed Central

17. Nirwan, M, Halder, K, Saha, M, Pathak, A, Balakrishnan, R, Ganju, L. Improvement in resilience and stress-related blood markers following ten months yoga practice in Antarctica. J Compl Integr Med 2020;18:201–7. https://doi.org/10.1515/jcim-2019-0240.Search in Google Scholar PubMed

Received: 2021-03-09

Accepted: 2021-06-30

Published Online: 2021-07-09

You are currently not able to access this content.

Articles in the same Issue

https://doi.org/10.1515/jcim-2021-0107

Keywords for this article

blood pressure; public service; stress; work; yoga