Five-week yin yoga-based interventions decreased plasma adrenomedullin and increased psychological health in stressed adults: A randomized controlled trial

BackgroundNon-communicable diseases (NCDs, e.g. cardiovascular disease) are responsible for high rates of morbidity and the majority of premature deaths worldwide. It is necessary to develop preventative interventions that can reduce the associated risk factors of NCDs. Researchers have found that the biomarker adrenomedullin (ADM) becomes elevated years before the onset of NCDs and might play an important role in their development. ADM has also been linked to psychological problems such as stress, anxiety, and depression, which are known risk factors of NCDs. In this randomized controlled trial, we examined whether participating in a five-week yoga intervention reduces ADM and increases psychological health in middle-aged adults who self-report as moderately to highly stressed, but who otherwise exhibit no physical complaints.MethodsOne hundred and five adults (78% women; mean age = 53.5, SD = 6.7) were randomly assigned to (1) a five-week Yin yoga intervention, (2) a five-week intervention combining Yin yoga with psychoeducation and mindfulness practice (called the YOMI program), or (3) a control group who did not practice yoga or mindfulness for five weeks.ResultsCompared to the control group, we observed significantly greater pre-post reductions in plasma ADM levels (p p ≤ .002), and sleep problems (p ≤ .003) in both intervention groups. Furthermore, the YOMI group exclusively showed significantly greater pre-post reductions in stress (p = .012) and depression (p = .021) compared to the control group. Significant correlations (p p = .02) and depression (p = .04) in the entire sample.ConclusionThe five-week Yin yoga-based interventions appeared to reduce both the physiological and psychological risk factors known to be associated with NCDs. The study suggests that incorporating Yin yoga could be an easy and low-cost method of limiting the negative health effects associated with high stress.Trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov NCT03428542

【背景】非传染性疾病（Non-communicable Diseases, NCDs，如心血管疾病）是全球高发病率与绝大多数过早死亡的核心诱因。开发可降低非传染性疾病相关危险因素的预防干预手段实属必要。研究发现，生物标志物（biomarker）肾上腺髓质素（adrenomedullin, ADM）会在非传染性疾病发病数年前升高，并可能在疾病进展中发挥关键作用。此外，ADM还与应激、焦虑、抑郁等心理问题存在关联，而此类心理问题已知为非传染性疾病的危险因素。本项随机对照试验（randomized controlled trial）旨在探究：针对自我报告为中度至重度应激但无躯体不适的中年成年人，参与为期五周的瑜伽干预能否降低其血浆ADM水平并改善心理健康状况。
【方法】本研究共纳入105名成年人（女性占比78%，平均年龄53.5岁，标准差SD=6.7），通过随机分配将受试者分为三组：(1) 为期五周的阴瑜伽干预组；(2) 为期五周的阴瑜伽结合心理教育与正念练习的干预组（下称YOMI方案组）；(3) 对照组，即五周内不进行任何瑜伽或正念练习的组别。
【结果】与对照组相比，两个干预组的血浆ADM水平（p ≤ 0.002）与睡眠问题（p ≤ 0.003）均出现了更显著的干预前后降低幅度。进一步分析显示，相较于对照组，仅YOMI方案组在应激（p = 0.012）与抑郁症状（p = 0.021）的干预前后降低幅度上呈现显著优势。在全部研究样本中，血浆ADM水平与应激（p = 0.02）及抑郁症状（p = 0.04）均存在显著相关性。
【结论】为期五周的基于阴瑜伽的干预措施，可同时降低与非传染性疾病相关的已知生理与心理危险因素。本研究表明，纳入阴瑜伽或许是一种简便且低成本的方式，能够缓解高应激所带来的不良健康影响。
【试验注册】ClinicalTrials.gov 注册号：NCT03428542