Effect of yoga and meditation on serum cortisol level in first-year medical students

Abstract

Background: Yoga is a traditional technique to conserve and purify body, mind and soul. It is a mind-body bridge which involves relaxation, meditation and a set of physical exercises performed in association with breathing. In this new era of evolution, most of the population are depressed or in stress, irrespective of their age and gender.Methods: This study is performed on 1st yr. medical students whose stress level is in higher side due to academic burden. An 55 medical students were selected as participants through counseling and were divided into yoga group (n= 27) and control group (n=28). Their morning serum cortisol level was assessed, and yoga group were instructed to practice yoga (1hr/day for 12 weeks) under supervision of yoga instructor. No such instruction was given to control group.Results: Serum cortisol level is the marker of stress and inflammation. Higher cortisol level means high stress level. Yoga and meditation is documented to reduce stress level in regular practitioners. Statistical analysis has shown decrease in morning serum cortisol level (572.18±168.03 to 544.98±139.89, 4.8% decrease, P value ˂0.05, significant) in yoga group after study. Control group have shown marked increase in cortisol level (558.89±162.69 to 577.26±254.5, 3.4% increase, P value = 0.74, not significant) after three months of study.Conclusions: This study concludes that practicing Yoga has a significant effect on the reduction of stress and anxiety level in medical students.

Sudarshan Kriya Yoga Breathing and a Meditation Program for Burnout Among Physicians

“…The SKY intervention was 1.5 hours online for 3 consecutive days in the evenings delivered by 2 instructors. This is a shorter form of the traditional SKY program that was taught face-to-face prior to the pandemic . It was also shorter than the pilot online study conducted during the early part of the pandemic, based on the feedback on time pressure received during a pilot program in Europe .…”

“…This is a shorter form of the traditional SKY program that was taught face-to-face prior to the pandemic. 20 , 21 , 22 , 23 , 24 , 25 , 26 , 27 It was also shorter than the pilot online study conducted during the early part of the pandemic, 30 based on the feedback on time pressure received during a pilot program in Europe. 15 The sessions included gentle stretches (eg, office yoga in a sitting position), specific breathing exercises and meditation, and discussion of cognitive or behavioral coping skills (a compact version of the program that was previously described).…”

“… 20 , 21 In addition, SKY increased various wellness parameters in university students more effectively than 2 other wellness programs. 22 , 23 There is also emerging knowledge regarding the potential mechanisms of SKY, such as reduced biomarkers of stress (eg, cortisol), 24 , 25 improved respiratory function, 18 increased heart rate variability, 26 as well as epigenetic effects in circulating immune cells. 27 Here, we present the results of a randomized clinical trial that aimed to assess the potential efficacy of SKY to improve wellness and mitigate burnout in physicians.…”

Effect of Structured Yoga Program on Stress and Well-being Among Frontline Healthcare Workers During COVID-19 Pandemic

“…These physical changes activate the parasympathetic nervous system, triggering relaxation, improving self-compassion, and decreasing stress and anxiety [ 17 ]. Reduced input of norepinephrine to the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus may explain the decreased corticotrophin-releasing hormone and cortisol [ 18 ].…”