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Ten-Day Yoga and Naturopathy Program Shows Months-Long Autonomic Changes
A randomized trial of 262 adults with hypertension examined a 10-day integrated yoga and naturopathy program.
The intervention combined supervised yoga, naturopathic therapies and a DASH-based diet.
Participants showed changes in heart-rate variability, suggesting greater parasympathetic or vagal activity.
A difference in the LF/HF ratio between the intervention and control groups remained statistically significant after nine months.
Researchers said the approach may complement, but should not replace, prescribed medication and regular blood-pressure monitoring.
- Who
- Researchers at SDM College of Naturopathy and Yogic Sciences studied 262 people aged 25 to 60 with hypertension.
- What
- A randomized controlled trial examined whether a 10-day program of yoga, naturopathy and dietary modification changed heart-rate variability.
- Where
- The research was conducted at SDM College of Naturopathy and Yogic Sciences in Ujire, Karnataka.
- When
- The intervention lasted 10 days, with measurements taken at the start, immediately afterward and nine months later; the report was published August 23.
- Why
- Researchers wanted to assess whether the program affected autonomic nervous-system regulation and whether any changes persisted after the intervention ended.
Complementary-care potential
Medical-treatment caution
Role in hypertension management
Complementary-care potential
Researchers said the findings suggest that combining yoga, dietary modification and naturopathic care could support autonomic regulation and serve as a complementary component of hypertension management.
Medical-treatment caution
Researchers also said the approach should be used alongside appropriate medical treatment and regular blood-pressure monitoring, rather than as a replacement.
Meaning of the findings
Complementary-care potential
The persistence of differences in the LF/HF ratio after nine months was presented as evidence that a short intervention may produce measurable physiological changes beyond immediate feelings of relaxation.
Medical-treatment caution
The report describes changes in heart-rate variability, not a replacement for conventional clinical management or a demonstrated cure for hypertension.
Key facts
- Participants
- 262 adults with hypertension
- Intervention
- Ten days of supervised yoga, naturopathic therapies and a DASH-based diet
- Control group
- Continued usual prescription medication
- Main measure
- Heart-rate variability, a non-invasive measure of autonomic nervous-system activity
- Observed pattern
- Higher high-frequency HRV and lower low-frequency activity and LF/HF ratio
- Follow-up
- Nine months after the 10-day intervention
- Study support
- Registered with the Clinical Trials Registry of India and supported by the Ministry of Ayush
Quotes
Dr Geetha B Shetty
Professor and Dean of SDM College of Naturopathy and Yogic Sciences
“Hypertension is not merely a disorder of elevated blood pressure; it is also closely linked to how the autonomic nervous system regulates cardiovascular function.”
theprint.in
“Heart-rate variability gives us a measurable window into autonomic regulation and allows these changes to be objectively assessed and followed over time.”
theprint.in
Sources
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