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Yoga and exercise have beneficial effects on mood and anxiety. γ-Aminobutyric acid (GABA)-ergic activity is reduced in mood and anxiety disorders. The practice of yoga postures is associated with increased brain GABA levels. This study addresses the question of whether changes in mood, anxiety, and GABA levels are specific to yoga or related to phy...
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... (34) subjects completed the study: 19 in the yoga group and 15 in the walking group (Fig. 1). There was no significant difference between groups for demographic or descriptive variables except for height, which although sta- tistically significant due to a relatively small standard devi- ation was clinically not significant. There was no difference in demographics between study completers and dropouts, with dropouts equally ...
Citations
... These effects may be linked to enhanced neuroplasticity and reduced stress, both of which can influence cognitive performance positively. Additionally, yoga might reduce hypothalamicpituitary-adrenal axis activation and inflammation, potentially impacting the underlying causes of depression and anxiety [114][115][116]. Regular yoga practice may thus help regulate the stress response and reduce cortisol levels, contributing to improved mental well-being. ...
Non-clinical approaches such as meditation, yoga, and mindfulness are popular traditional therapeutical interventions adopted by many educational institutions to improve the physical and mental well-being of learners. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of yoga intervention in improving cardiopulmonary parameters such as blood pressure, heart rate, pulmonary function tests and psychosomatic symptoms such as depression, anxiety and stress in medical and dental students. Using the PRISMA protocol, a search from databases such as PubMed, Scopus, and Embase resulted in 304 relevant articles. After screening the title and abstracts, 47 papers were analyzed thoroughly and included in the qualitative analysis. 18 articles with homogenous statistical data on physiology and psychological parameters were included for meta-analysis. In comparison to the control group, the study showed a significant reduction of systolic blood pressure (SBP: 6.82 mmHg, z = -3.06, p = 0.002), diastolic blood pressure (DBP: 2.92 mmHg, z = -2.22, p = 0.03), and heart rate (HR: 2.55 beats/min, z = -2.77, p = 0.006). Additionally, data from 4 studies yielded a significant overall effect of a stress reduction of 0.77 on standardized assessments due to the yoga intervention (z = 5.29, p < 0.0001). Lastly, the results also showed a significant (z = -2.52, p = 0.01) reduction of 1.2 in standardized anxiety tests in intervention group compared to the control. The findings offer promising prospects for medical educators globally, encouraging them to consider reformation and policymaking in medical curricula to enhance academic success and improve the overall quality of life for medical students worldwide.
... These effects may be linked to enhanced neuroplasticity and reduced stress, both of which can influence cognitive performance positively. Additionally, yoga might reduce hypothalamicpituitary-adrenal axis activation and inflammation, potentially impacting the underlying causes of depression and anxiety [114][115][116]. Regular yoga practice may thus help regulate the stress response and reduce cortisol levels, contributing to improved mental well-being. ...
... Following Davidson and Kaszniak's (2015) considerations on mindfulness-based research, we selected KY as an active control condition, a contemplative practice not intended specifically to promote self-compassion but that improves psychological outcomes and stress (Streeter et al., 2010;Wang & Szabo, 2020). The KY rigorously matched the MSC intervention on non-specific factors such as length of intervention, amount of practice, participants blinded to the experimental or control condition, examiners blinded to the participants' assigned condition, and instructors' expertise, commitment, enthusiasm, and confidence in the benefits of their interventions. ...
Objectives
This study aimed to assess the effects of a virtual Mindful Self-compassion (MSC) intervention on mindfulness and self-compassion, empathy, stress, and well-being in Uruguayan primary school teachers, during COVID-19 times.
Method
A quasi-experimental, longitudinal study was conducted with an active control intervention that involved practicing Kundalini yoga (KY). Uruguayan volunteer female teachers were randomly assigned to MSC or KY 9-week virtual training. They completed self-reported psychometric tests and an empathy for pain task (EPT) at pre- and post-training, and follow-up (3 months).
Results
At post-MSC training, mindfulness (observing, non-reactivity, and total mindfulness) and self-compassion (self-kindness, common humanity, mindfulness, and self-judgment) increased. The empathy dimensions perspective-taking increased and personal distress decreased. Stress decreased and well-being increased. Concerning EPT, the accuracy in attributing intentionality to the harm inflicted, i.e., the intentionality comprehension accuracy, increased. At follow-up, observing and total mindfulness remained elevated, and non-judging increased. Common humanity remained elevated and personal distress remained decreased. Comparing MSC with KY trainings at post-training, the psychometric tests showed that personal distress was lower in the MSC group. At follow-up, observing and total mindfulness were higher in the MSC group. No differences between groups were found for the EPT at post-training and follow-up.
Conclusions
Virtual MSC training increased mindfulness and self-compassion, associated with higher well-being, reduced stress, and increased empathy in primary school teachers in Uruguay.
Preregistration
This study is not preregistered.
... (2) MBT and physical training may exert their effects on alleviating depressive symptoms through distinct biological pathways. MBT primarily modulates the psychological state by regulating neuroendocrine, immune, and autonomic nervous systems (Streeter et al. 2010). In contrast, physical training not only operates through these mechanisms but also enhances the release of neurotransmitters, such as dopamine and serotonin, in the brain, leading to an antidepressant effect (Meeusen and De Meirleir 1995). ...
Purpose
The aim of this study was to assess the effectiveness of mind-body therapy (MBT) and/or physical training in alleviating depressive symptoms among adult cancer patients through a meta-analysis.
Methods
PubMed, Embase, EBSCO, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library databases were searched from up to October 21, 2023. Effect sizes, 95% confidence intervals, and other pertinent values were computed utilizing a random-effects model with Review Manager 5.3 and StataMP 14. The reporting of findings adhered to the guidelines for systematic reviews and meta-analyses. The PROSPERO registration code for this review is 4,203,477,316.
Results
10 randomized controlled trials (11 datasets) involving a total of 620 participants were selected for analysis. The results demonstrated that complementary therapies, encompassing MBT and physical training, were effective in alleviating depressive symptoms in adult cancer patients (SMD= -0.47; 95%CI: -0.87, -0.08; P = 0.02). Subgroup analysis indicate that physical training may effectively alleviate depressive symptoms (SMD= -0.72; 95%CI: -1.31, -0.13; P = 0.02), demonstrating moderate effect sizes. Conversely, MBT does not seem to significantly influence depressive symptoms (P = 0.69).
Conclusions
Complementary therapy lasting four weeks or more, incorporating physical training and MBT, has been shown to alleviate depressive symptoms in adult cancer patients. And physical training has a significant effect on depressive symptoms, while MBT has no effect. Nevertheless, given the constraints of the included studies, further research is required in the future to provide more robust evidence.
... The results of the present study exhibit notable consistency with previous literature, as evidenced by references (43-45), which underpin the biological basis of anxiety in γ-aminobutyric acid (GABAergic) activity (46). Specifically, a significant reduction in anxiety levels was observed within the experimental group following the implementation of the intervention, in contrast to the stability observed in the control group. ...
Objectives
The purpose of this study has been to analyze the efficacy of a yoga-based intervention on stress, emotional wellbeing, state anxiety and trait anxiety in university students.
Methods
This study was a randomized controlled trial. The sample consisted of 129 university students, of which 65 underwent a yoga training for 12 weeks and a control group that did not carry out any type of intervention. The primary outcome was stress, which was collected through The Perceived Stress Scale (PSS). The secondary outcomes were emotional wellbeing which was measured through the Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Wellbeing Scale (WEMWBS), and anxiety through State–Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI). All variables were measured before and after the intervention.
Results
Participants in the experimental group showed statistically significant improvements in the primary outcome perceived stress (Cohen’s d = 0.44) and the secondary outcomes emotional wellbeing (Cohen’s d = 0.47), and both state anxiety (Cohen’s d = 0.38) and trait anxiety (Cohen’s d = 0.80) compared to the control group that did not carry out any type of physical training.
Conclusion
This study demonstrated that a 12-week yoga intervention can significantly reduce perceived stress and anxiety, and improve emotional wellbeing in university students. Initially, the experimental group (EG) reported higher levels of stress and anxiety than the control group (CG), but after the intervention, the EG experienced significant improvements compared to the CG.
... Innovative organizations can better adapt to environmental changes. The innovations of the organization and the innovative behaviors of employees cause a higher level of economic and financial profitability, increase sales and increase work and organizational performance (Chris, et al. 2010;Ellis, et al. 2013;Faircloth, 2017). Among the methods of increasing innovation, one of the best methods is to create innovative work behavior and the life and success of organizations in the long term, depending on the employees. ...
Background and Aim: The purpose of this research was to investigate the impact of innovative organizational climate on the job performance of private sector employees, taking into account the mediating role of job motivation and self-efficacy.
Methods: A descriptive-correlation approach was employed in the current investigation, utilizing structural equation modeling. The study consisted of 384 employees from the private sector, aged
between 21 and 49 years (with a mean age of 35.11±8.17 years), who willingly participated. The research was conducted in Tehran, Iran, in the year 2023. The participants were selected through
a convenience sampling method, adhering to the guidelines outlined by Krejci & Morgan. Standard questionnaires were used for data collection. Pearson correlation test and the structural equation modeling were used for data analysis.
Results: Results reveled that innovative organizational climate significantly affected job performance (T=6.284). Moreover, innovative organizational climate significantly affected job
motivation (T=11.594). Furthermore, innovative organizational climate significantly affected self�efficacy (T=9.509). In addition, job motivation has significantly mediated the relationship between
innovative organizational climate and job performance (P<0.001). Finally, self-efficacy has significantly mediated the relationship between innovative organizational climate and job
performance (P<0.001).
Conclusion: Based on the findings of this research, it is recommended that market holders focus on promoting and enhancing the factors and components that contribute to the innovative organizational climate of private sector employees. Additionally, greater emphasis should be placed on job motivation and self-efficacy of the private sector employees.
... Stress reduction-based mindfulness training is considered one of the most effective methods, leading to reductions in stress, anxiety, and depression. Participants in this training are taught to observe their thoughts and emotions without judgment, reaction, or resistance (Sadeghpour & Sangchini, 2020;Taso, et al. 2014;Bandura, 1997;Conner & Davidson, 2003;Hartfiel, et al. 2011;Herrick, et al. 2020;Chris, et al. 2010). ...
Background: This research demonstrates that the practice of mindfulness training led to a notable decrease in occupational stress and an improvement in the overall quality of life for professionals working in operating rooms.
Methods: The method of the present research was practical in nature and semi-experimental in the form of pretest-posttest with a control group. The statistical population of this research included all operating room experts in Tehran hospitals. 50 people from this community were selected by available sampling method and were randomly divided into two experimental (25 people) and control (25 people) groups. Data was collected using standard questionnaires. T tests and ANCOVA were used to analyze data.
Results: The results showed that there is no significant difference in both occupational stress and
quality of life in the pretest (both P>0.05). However, it was observed that experimental group had significantly lower occupational stress and higher quality of life compared to control group in the posttest (both P=0.001). Finally, the results of ANCOVA showed significant differences between experimental and control groups in both occupational stress and quality of life (both P=0.001).
Conclusions: These findings indicate that mindfulness can play a crucial role in managing work�related stress among operating room experts. Consequently, by actively participating in mindfulness activities, it is plausible to create more favorable circumstances for professionals working in operating rooms in terms of their quality of life
... Unlike traditional resistance training, Pilates takes a holistic approach, engaging multiple muscle groups simultaneously. The versatility and effectiveness of Pilates have made it a popular supplemental exercise for people of all ages and genders, from professional athletes to pregnant women, who can even practice it in the comfort of their own homes (Sadeghpour & Sangchini, 2020;Taso, et al. 2014;Bandura, 1997;Conner & Davidson, 2003;Hartfiel, et al. 2011;Herrick, et al. 2020;Chris, et al. 2010). ...
Background: It is crucial to prioritize the enhancement of teachers’ mental health within the education system. As a result, this study aims to examine the impact of a Pilates training course on the psychological and mental well-being of school teachers, encompassing aspects such as depression and self-esteem.
Methods: The research was carried out using a semi-experimental approach. The study involved 60 elementary school teachers who were chosen through convenience sampling and then randomly and equally divided into two groups - experimental and control. Data was collected using standard questionnaires. T tests and ANCOVA were used to analyze data.
Results: The results showed that there is no significant difference in both depression and self�esteem in the pretest (both P>0.05). However, it was observed that experimental group had significantly lower depression and higher self-esteem compared to control group in the posttest (both P=0.001). Finally, the results of ANCOVA showed significant differences between experimental and control groups in both depression and self-esteem (both P=0.001).
Conclusions: These findings indicate that it is possible to recommend Pilates exercise and movement activities as a way to improve mental health, self-esteem, satisfaction with life, efficiency, positive mood and reduce mental and emotional tensions in school teachers.
... Several research studies have explored the impact of exercise on depression, revealing that physical activity is effective in alleviating symptoms of depression (Abdi, et al. 2022;Afsanepurak, et al. 2012;Dana & Shams, 2019;Dana, et al. 2021;Ghorbani & Bund, 20142017;Ghorbani, et al. 2020;Khosravi et al. 2023;Moradi, et al. 2020;Seyedi-Asl, et al. 2021;Seyedi-Asl, et al. 2016;Taghva, et al. 2020). For instance, a study involving 43 depressed women found that those who engaged in aerobic exercise experienced a greater reduction in depression compared to those who participated in relaxation exercises or received no intervention (Chris, et al. 2010). In a separate study, 12 patients diagnosed with major depression underwent a 30-minute daily aerobic training session for 10 days, resulting in a significant improvement in mood (Ellis, et al. 2013). ...
Background: Identifying factors that can positively influence the mental health and resilience of healthcare workers is crucial. As such, this research aims to explore the impact of aerobic exercise on depression and resilience among healthcare workers.
Methods: This study was conducted as an experiment, focusing on healthcare workers employed in hospitals in Tehran. A sample of 64 health care workers was selected using a convenience sampling method. These individuals were then randomly divided into two control groups (32 people each) and one experimental group (32 people). Data was collected using standard questionnaires. T tests and ANCOVA were used to analyze data.
Results: The results showed that there is no significant difference in both depression and resilience in the pretest (both P>0.05). However, it was observed that experimental group had significantly lower depression and higher resilience compared to control group in the posttest (both P=0.001).
Finally, the results of ANCOVA showed significant differences between experimental and control groups in both depression and resilience (both P=0.001).
Conclusions: These results suggest that physical activity and sport can be considered as an important factor in coping with severe job-related conditions in healthcare workers. Therefore, by increasing physical activity and sport, better conditions can be created for healthcare workers to ensure their mental health.
... If the information in the retrieved reports was not sufficient for a complete RoB rating, the original published reports of the clinical trial were retrieved and data were extracted from them. This was necessary for two of the included studies [70,71]. ...
Depression is the most common mental disorder worldwide. Both antidepressants and psychotherapy are effective in treating depression, but the response to these treatments is often incomplete. Yoga-based interventions (YBIs) have been advocated by some researchers as a promising form of alternative treatment for depression. Recent research has attempted to identify the biological mechanisms associated with the antidepressant actions of YBIs. In this scoping review, conducted according to the PRISMA-ScR guidelines, the PubMed and Scopus databases were searched to retrieve research on biomarkers of response to YBIs in patients with depression. These studies were also critically reviewed to evaluate their methodological quality and any sources of bias. Nineteen studies were included in the review. Based on these studies, there is preliminary evidence that YBIs may be associated with increased serum brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and reduced serum cortisol and interleukin-6 (IL-6) in patients with depression. However, many of these changes were also observed in the control arms, and the overall quality of the research was low. At present, it cannot be concluded that there are reliable biomarkers of response to YBIs in depression, though there are some potential biological correlates. Further advances in this field will depend critically on improvements in study design, particularly the minimization of sources of bias and the selection of more specific and sensitive biomarkers based on existing evidence from other treatment modalities.
