Yoga Improves Bone Density and Metabolism in Elderly Osteoporosis

Beijing Sport University

Status: Completed

Conditions: Osteoporosis

Treatments: Behavioral: Yoga

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT07126002

2025152H

Details and patient eligibility

About

This study was designed to evaluate the impact of a 16-week yoga program on BMD, bone metabolism markers, and physical fitness in elderly patients with OP.

Full description

To assess the effects of a 16-week yoga intervention on bone mineral density (BMD), bone metabolism, and physical fitness in elderly patients with osteoporosis. This randomized controlled trial enrolled 60 adults aged 50 years or older with clinically confirmed osteoporosis. Based on personal preference, participants were assigned to either a yoga group or a control group. The intervention consisted of supervised yoga sessions conducted twice weekly for 16 weeks. The yoga intervention included physical postures, breathing exercises, and meditation/relaxation techniques. Health outcomes were assessed at baseline, mid-intervention (8 weeks), and post-intervention (16 weeks). Primary outcomes included changes in BMD at the lumbar spine and hips. Secondary outcomes comprised serum levels of osteocalcin, procollagen type 1 N-terminal propeptide (P1NP), β-CTX, 25-hydroxyvitamin D, calcium, phosphate, and performance in physical function tests, including grip strength, chair stand, single-leg balance, and timed up-and-go. This randomized controlled trial aims to find out the effect of yoga intervention on bone mineral density (BMD), bone metabolism, and physical fitness in elderly patients with osteoporosis.

Enrollment: 60 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 50+ years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion and exclusion criteria

Inclusion Criteria：

• age ≥50 years;
• diagnosed with osteoporosis using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA);
• able to independently perform required assessments;
• voluntary participation in yoga intervention.

Exclusion Criteria:

• secondary osteoporosis;
• severe cardiovascular, cerebrovascular, hepatic, or renal diseases;
• cognitive impairment;
• severe motor dysfunction;
• regular participation in structured exercise programs, such as yoga or resistance training, within the past six months.

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: Double Blind

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60 participants in 2 patient groups

experimental group

Experimental group

Description:

Participants in the yoga intervention group attended supervised yoga classes twice per week for 16 weeks. Each yoga session lasted approximately 60 minutes and was conducted by certified yoga instructors. Sessions comprised breathing exercises, structured yoga postures, and relaxation. Heart rate was monitored regularly during sessions to maintain appropriate intensity.

Treatment:

Behavioral: Yoga

control group

No Intervention group

Description:

Participants in the control group were instructed to maintain their usual activities and not initiate any new structured exercise programs during the study period