Author(s): GERAGE, A., SIRYDAKIS, M., AMARAL, M., SOUZA, A., JOHANN, E., RODRIGUES, J., BEZERRA, J., Institution: UNIVERSIDADE FEDERAL DE SANTA CATARINA, Country: BRAZIL, Abstract-ID: 2188

INTRODUCTION:
Although regular physical exercise is a cornerstone in the management of hypertension, adherence to conventional exercise programs remains low among hypertensive patients. In this scenario, Yoga, a non-conventional and attractive modality, has gained increasing attention as an alternative strategy. However, evidence regarding its effectiveness in blood pressure (BP) control, particularly under ambulatory conditions, remains limited and inconclusive. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of a structured Yoga training program on office and ambulatory BP in individuals with hypertension.
METHODS:
This study represents a preliminary analysis of a larger randomized controlled trial (ClinicalTrials.gov ID: NCT03896334) conducted with adults and older adults (40 years or older), of both sexes, diagnosed with hypertension, who were randomized into two groups: Yoga Group (YG) and Control Group (CG). The YG underwent a Yoga training program involving breathing techniques, mobility exercises, physical postures, relaxation, and meditation for 16 weeks. During the first eight weeks (phase 1), three weekly supervised and in-person sessions were conducted. During the last eight weeks of the study (phase 2), the training was composed by three weekly supervised and in-person sessions, in addition to one weekly unsupervised and remote session delivered through video classes which was available on a digital platform specifically developed for this study. Before the intervention, after eight and after 16 weeks, office (automatic monitor - Omron, model HEM 7113) and ambulatory BP (Cardios - Dyna-MAPA) were assessed. Inter and intragroup effects were analyzed using two-way ANCOVA for repeated measures, with baseline values included as covariates, adopting p < 0.05 as level of significance.
RESULTS:
Initially, 11 patients (56.9 (SD 10.8) years; 54.5% women; 28.5 (SD 4.6) kg/m2) were randomized (YG: n = 5; CG: n = 6). An isolated effect of time was found for office systolic BP (p = 0.025) with significant reductions observed for both groups from pre to post-16 weeks (YG: pre = 123.6 (SD 15.2) mmHg, post-16 = 119.7 (SD 11.8) mmHg; CG: pre = 150.6 (SD 34.8) mmHg, post-16 = 129.4 (SD 16.7) mmHg; p = 0.03). No main or interaction effects were found for office diastolic and mean BP, nor for 24-hour, awake, and nocturnal systolic, diastolic and mean BP (p > 0.05).
CONCLUSION:
In this preliminary analysis, it was concluded that 16 weeks of Yoga training did not promote reductions in office or ambulatory BP in individuals with hypertension. These findings reinforce the need for larger clinical trials to better elucidate the potential contribution of structured Yoga training to BP control.
This study was funded by the Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa e Inovação do Estado de Santa Catarina (FAPESC), under Call No. 21/2024.