Iyengar Yoga's effects on postmenopausal women's health

Is this trial a fit for you?

A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.

What this trial studies

This study investigates whether Iyengar Yoga can have a rejuvenating effect on postmenopausal women by assessing their biofunctional status before and after a 12-week yoga program. Participants will be randomly assigned to either an intervention group, which will attend yoga sessions led by a professional instructor and practice at home, or a control group. The study aims to evaluate changes in biofunctional age through various assessments, including blood samples and self-reported data on menopausal symptoms. The research is conducted at the University Hospital Bern, where participants will be recruited and monitored throughout the program.

Why it matters

Who can join: the full rules

Inclusion Criteria:

* Informed consent
* Women after Menopause (defined as 12 months of spontaneous amenorrhea or 6 months of spontaneous amenorrhea with serum FSH levels \>40mlU/ml or 6 weeks postsurgical bilateral oophorectomy with or without hysterectomy)
* Age over 18 years
* At least 4 hot flushes per day (examined through the Menopause rating scale MRS-II)
* No regular yoga practice for two years
* German as native language
* Willing to participate in 12 yoga classes as well as two 45 self practice sessions per week
* Willing to assess biofunctional Status and give blood samples

Exclusion Criteria:

* Acute and/or serious disease in the past two years (e.g. Cancer, major surgery)
* Autoimmune or chronic inflammatory disease (e.g. rheumatism, thyroid dysfunction)
* Mental illness (e.g. Depression or anxiety disorder (HADS \>8))
* Acute or chronic back pain or herniated vertebral disc
* Compulsion to participate in the trial
* Attendance of less than 10 yoga lessons out of 12.
* Hormone replacement therapy (HRT)
* Smoking \> 20 Cigarettes per day or over 20 packyears
* Consumption of \>30g alcohol per day (\>1 liter of beer or \>0.3 dl of wine)
* Previous periodic participation in yoga classes within the last two years
* Inability or contraindications to undergo the investigated intervention
* Participants incapable of judgement or participants under tutelage Diabetes mellitus

Where it's running

• Dep. of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Bern University Hospital, Bern
  Bern, Switzerland Recruiting

Study contacts

• Principal investigator: Petra Stute, Prof. Dr. med — Universitätsklinik für Frauenheilkunde Bern
• Study coordinator: Petra o Stute, Prof. Dr. med
• Email: petra.stute@insel.ch
• Phone: +41 31 63 2 13 33

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How to take part

1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.