Bikram Yoga and Aerobic Exercise for the Treatment of Major Depression

Queen's University

Status: Completed

Conditions: Depression

Treatments: Other: Bikram Yoga; Other: Aerobic Exercise

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT04058080

PSYC-132-13

Details and patient eligibility

About

The primary goal of this project was to examine the antidepressant effects of yoga as an alternative treatment for depression as compared to no treatment and aerobic exercise. The secondary goal of this project was to examine relevant physiological (i.e., heart rate, blood pressure, cortisol levels) and psychological variables (i.e., perceived hassles, rumination, mindfulness) that may underlie the antidepressant effects of Bikram yoga and aerobic exercise.

Full description

Participants attended two pre-treatment appointments. The first pre-treatment appointment was a 2-hour psychological assessment in which the study and its protocol were explained at length and consent was collected. Participants then completed a battery of measures, including a medical screening interview, a demographic interview, the full Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV Axis I Disorders, and the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression. Participants also completed self-report psychological measures during the psychological assessment. After completion of this appointment, participants were given instructions to avoid specific substances or activities for a minimum length of time before the second pre-treatment appointment.

The second pre-treatment appointment was a 3-hour physiological assessment which was completed within 1 week of the psychological assessment. The first 30 minutes of this appointment were used to set-up the physiological measurements and allow enough time for participants to become familiarized and comfortable with the laboratory setting. Following this, a carefully timed experimental protocol was followed, during which heart rate and mean arterial pressure were measured and recorded continuously. The participants also completed a stress task and their saliva was collected. The participants also engaged in the Submaximal Cycle Ergometer Test. At the end of the physiological assessment, participants were randomly assigned via a computer-generated random sequence to one of the treatment conditions. Group assignment was revealed via sealed envelopes that had been previously prepared by research personnel. Participants who were in the waitlist group were offered yoga or aerobic classes after the completion of the study protocol.

Participants in the yoga and aerobic exercise groups then attended 2 classes per week of either yoga or aerobic exercise for 8 weeks.

Following completion of the intervention period, participants attended a 3½ hr post-treatment assessment in which all measures of the physiological pre-treatment assessment were repeated. Additionally, participants were administered the Mood Module of the SCID-I/P and the HAM-D to assess changes in diagnostic status and depression severity.

Enrollment: 53 patients

Sex: Female

Ages: 18 to 65 years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Physically healthy
• Female
• Meet DSM-IV-TR criteria for a current episode of a non chronic, unipolar depressive disorder (i.e., MDD, adjustment disorder with depressed mood, depressive disorder not otherwise specified)

Exclusion criteria

• Presence of a psychotic disorder, bipolar disorder, substance dependence, current suicidality beyond simple ideation
• Presence of a medical condition that could be the cause of depression
• Presence of a a pre-existing physical condition that could interfere with participation in physical activity (e.g., cardiovascular disease, untreated hypertension, etc.)
• Change in the type or dose of antidepressant medication or change in frequency of sessions of psychotherapy/counseling in the previous 3 months
• Pregnant women or women actively trying to become pregnant
• Regular participation in yoga or group exercise classes (i.e., on a biweekly or more basis) during the 3-month period prior to study onset or on a long-term basis in the past 2 years
• A schedule that did not allow for participation in yoga or exercise classes twice per week

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: None (Open label)

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53 participants in 3 patient groups

Bikram Yoga

Experimental group

Description:

Participants in the Bikram yoga group were asked to attend two classes per week for 8 weeks (16 classes in total) at a local affiliated Bikram yoga studio. Certified Bikram yoga teachers instructed all classes using a scripted instructional dialogue. Each 90-min class was held in a temperature-controlled room (40.6 degrees Celsius, 40% humidity). The class opened with a deep breathing exercise and continued with 50 minutes of standing asanas and 40 minutes of floor-based asanas, including a quick, forceful breathing exercise to finish. All but the last asana (i.e., spine-twisting) were performed twice. Savasana, which is a restorative and relaxation posture, was performed between asanas throughout the floor series and at the end of class. The yoga studio regularly offered 22 class times per week, all of which were accessible to participants.

Treatment:

Other: Bikram Yoga

Aerobic Exercise

Active Comparator group

Description:

Participants in the aerobic exercise group were asked to attend two group aerobic exercise classes per week for 8 weeks (16 classes in total) at the Kingston Family YMCA. They were provided with a modified schedule of the YMCA group classes, which included only classes with a strong aerobic component and excluded those involving yoga, pilates, or cycling. Selecting these classes was done in consultation with the general manager of the YMCA, who was familiar with each class type. Classes involving the following components were available to participants: choreography-based cardio, aerobics, light muscular conditioning, and stretching; cardio, plyometric, and strength training exercises; high intensity aerobic exercise with intermittent rest periods; circuit-based cardio and strength training exercises; stepper-based exercises; and Latin-inspired dance/fitness. Classes were 50-60 minutes in duration.

Treatment:

Other: Aerobic Exercise

Waitlist

No Intervention group

Description:

Waitlisted individuals were not able to access yoga or exercise classes throughout the intervention period but participated in the rest of the study protocol. Following the post-treatment assessment, they received access to the class type of their choosing.