Influence of Iyengar Yoga on the Bio-functional Age of Postmenopausal Women

Launched by INSEL GRUPPE AG, UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL BERN · Jan 11, 2021

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is studying the effects of Iyengar Yoga on the health and well-being of postmenopausal women. Researchers want to see if practicing this specific type of yoga can help improve the overall health and vitality of women who have gone through menopause, particularly those experiencing frequent hot flashes. The study will last for 12 weeks, during which participants will attend yoga classes and do some self-practice at home. Before and after the program, the participants' health status will be evaluated to see if there are any positive changes.

To be eligible for this trial, women must be over 18 years old and have experienced menopause, meaning they have not had a period for at least 12 months. They should also be experiencing at least four hot flashes a day and must not have practiced yoga regularly in the past two years. Participants will need to commit to attending all the yoga classes and will also provide some health information and blood samples. This study is a great opportunity for women looking for alternative ways to manage menopause symptoms while improving their overall well-being.

Gender

FEMALE

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • Informed consent
• • Women after Menopause (defined as 12 months of spontaneous amenorrhea or 6 months of spontaneous amenorrhea with serum FSH levels \>40mlU/ml or 6 weeks postsurgical bilateral oophorectomy with or without hysterectomy)
• • Age over 18 years
• • At least 4 hot flushes per day (examined through the Menopause rating scale MRS-II)
• • No regular yoga practice for two years
• • German as native language
• • Willing to participate in 12 yoga classes as well as two 45 self practice sessions per week
• • Willing to assess biofunctional Status and give blood samples
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • Acute and/or serious disease in the past two years (e.g. Cancer, major surgery)
• • Autoimmune or chronic inflammatory disease (e.g. rheumatism, thyroid dysfunction)
• • Mental illness (e.g. Depression or anxiety disorder (HADS \>8))
• • Acute or chronic back pain or herniated vertebral disc
• • Compulsion to participate in the trial
• • Attendance of less than 10 yoga lessons out of 12.
• • Hormone replacement therapy (HRT)
• • Smoking \> 20 Cigarettes per day or over 20 packyears
• • Consumption of \>30g alcohol per day (\>1 liter of beer or \>0.3 dl of wine)
• • Previous periodic participation in yoga classes within the last two years
• • Inability or contraindications to undergo the investigated intervention
• • Participants incapable of judgement or participants under tutelage Diabetes mellitus