Ten Days of Yoga, Naturopathy May Alter Stress-Regulation System for Months: Study

Mangaluru: A 10-day programme combining yoga, naturopathy and dietary modification may bring measurable changes in the body's autonomic regulation that remain detectable for up to nine months in people with hypertension, experts have said. During a randomised controlled trial involving 262 people, researchers at the SDM College of Naturopathy and Yogic Sciences, Ujire, found that participants who underwent the integrated programme showed changes in heart-rate variability (HRV). HRV is a non-invasive measure used to assess the functioning of the autonomic nervous system, which plays an important role in regulating heart rate, blood pressure and the body's response to stress. The findings suggest that a short-term, integrated approach combining yoga, naturopathy and dietary changes may have longer-lasting effects on the body's stress-regulation mechanisms. The study was published in the Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies and was registered with the Clinical Trials Registry of India (CTRI). It was supported by the Ministry of AYUSH.