Systematic review, 2024
Does yoga help reduce PMS symptoms?
Yes, yoga appears to help reduce emotional, behavioral, and physical PMS symptoms and improve quality of life. The evidence comes from a systematic review of 14 randomized controlled trials.
What they did
Systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Searched 5 databases (Scopus, PubMed, Cochrane Library, PEDro, Google Scholar) from inception to August 2022. Found 224 studies and included 14 in the review. Seven studies were analyzed quantitatively for effects on blood pressure, heart rate, and PMS distress scores.
What they found
Yoga showed small improvements on the Moos Menstrual Distress Questionnaire (mean difference 1.50 points). Blood pressure and heart rate changes were very small and not clearly meaningful (systolic BP change -0.30, diastolic BP change -0.25, heart rate change 0.08). The review concluded yoga can help with menstrual pain, irregular periods, stress, tension, and anxiety.
What it means for you
Yoga may help with PMS symptoms overall. However, the actual measured improvements in physical markers like blood pressure and heart rate were very small. Results varied considerably between studies, suggesting that effectiveness may depend on the type of yoga and how symptoms are measured.
14
randomized controlled trials included
224
studies initially found
1.50
Moos Menstrual Distress Questionnaire improvement
About the study
- Original title
- The Effect of Yoga Therapy in Premenstrual Syndrome: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomised Controlled Trials
- Authors
- Ranga M, Dev K
- Journal
- Journal of obstetrics and gynaecology Canada : JOGC = Journal d'obstetrique et gynecologie du Canada : JOGC
- Year
- 2024
- Study design
- Systematic review
- What was tested
- Yoga therapy compared to control group
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.1016/j.jogc.2024.102579
Topics
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