Author(s): SIRYDAKIS, M., BANDEIRA, A., LEONEL, L., CARMINATTI, M., RODRIGUES, J., SCHIMIEGELOW, I., GERAGE, A. , Institution: UNIVERSIDADE FEDERAL DE SANTA CATARINA, Country: BRAZIL, Abstract-ID: 2093

INTRODUCTION:
Physical training is considered an essential component in hypertension (HTN) treatment. However, many individuals with HTN do not engage in traditional exercise. In this sense, yoga, a non-conventional modality combining breathing, postures, meditation, and relaxation, emerges as an attractive alternative, but its effects on mental and cognitive parameters in the context of HTN remains unclear. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of a 16-week yoga program on mental health (Quality of Life, Health Perception, Sleep Quality, Depressive Symptoms and Stress) and Cognition in adults and elderly with HTN.
METHODS:
This study represents a preliminary analysis of a randomized controlled trial conducted with adults and elderly (40 years or older), of both sexes, diagnosed with HTN, who were randomized into two groups: Yoga Group (YG) and Control Group (CG, usual care). The YG participated in a 16-week yoga program involving breathing techniques, mobility exercises, physical postures, meditation and relaxation. During the first eight weeks (Phase 1), three supervised in-person sessions per week were conducted. In the last eight weeks (Phase 2), the yoga program was semi-supervised, consisting of three supervised in-person sessions per week and one unsupervised session delivered via video class. The video class was made available on a digital platform. Mental health outcomes (quality of life and health perception: EuroQol 5-Dimension 5-Level questionnaire; sleep quality: Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, depressive symptoms: Patient Health Questionnaire-9 and stress: Perceived Stress Scale) and cognitive function (Montreal Cognitive Assessment) were assessed at baseline, after eight weeks and after 16 weeks. Intra and intergroup comparisons were conducted using Generalized Estimating Equations (GEE) with Bonferroni post hoc tests and analysis of covariance (ANCOVA), adjusted for baseline values. A significance level of 5% was adopted for all analyses.
RESULTS:
Eleven participants were included (56.91 (SD 10.83) years; 54.54% women; 76.24 (SD 16.50) kg; 163.37 (SD 7.64) cm; 10.00 (SD 8.19) years of hypertension diagnosis). Improvements in sleep quality score were observed in both groups from pre to eight weeks (YG-pre:10.60 (SD 1.15), post 8-weeks: 7.60 (SD 1.00) and post 16-weeks: 9.50 (SD 2.79); CG-pre: 9.50 (SD 1.38), post 8-weeks: 7.00 (SD 2.03) and post 16 weeks: 8.00 (SD 2.94), p<0.001). No significant main or interaction effects were observed for quality of life, health perception, depressive symptoms, stress and cognition (p > 0.05).
CONCLUSION:
Sixteen weeks of Yoga and usual care in hypertensive adults and elderly can improve sleep quality, without altering quality of life, health perception, depressive symptoms, stress and cognition.
Number of Clinical Trials register: NCT07125313.

This study was funded by the Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa e Inovação do Estado de Santa Catarina (FAPESC), under Call No. 21,2024.