Antidepressant efficacy and hormonal effects of Sudarshana Kriya Yoga (SKY) in alcohol dependent individuals.

Full Abstract

BACKGROUND:
Sudarshana Kriya Yoga (SKY) has demonstrable antidepressant effects. SKY was tested for this effect in inpatients of alcohol dependence.

METHODS:
Following a week of detoxification management consenting subjects (n=60) were equally randomized to receive SKY therapy or not (controls) for a two-week study. SKY therapy included alternate day practice of specified breathing exercise under supervision of a trained therapist. Subjects completed the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) before and after the two weeks of this intervention. Morning plasma cortisol, ACTH and prolactin too were measured before and at the end of two weeks.

RESULTS:
In both groups reductions in BDI scores occurred but significantly more so in SKY group. Likewise, in both groups plasma cortisol as well as ACTH fell after two weeks but significantly more so in SKY group. Reduction in BDI scores correlated with that in cortisol in SKY but not in control group.

LIMITATIONS:
Antidepressant effects of SKY were demonstrated in early abstinence that also had substantial spontaneous improvement. It is not known if this effect contributes to sustained abstinence.

CONCLUSION:
Results extend the antidepressant effects of SKY in alcohol dependence subjects. Reduction in stress-hormone levels (cortisol and ACTH) along with BDI reductions possibly support a biological mechanism of SKY in producing beneficial effects.

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Author information

Author/s: Vedamurthachar, A (A); Janakiramaiah, Nimmagadda (N); Hegde, Jayaram M (JM); Shetty, Taranath K (TK); Subbakrishna, D K (DK); Sureshbabu, S V (SV); Gangadhar, B N (BN);

Affiliation: National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences, Bangalore, India.

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article; Randomized Controlled Trial; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

Journal: Journal of affective disorders (J Affect Disord), published in Netherlands. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2006-Aug; vol 94 (issue 1-3) : pp 249-53

Dates: Created 2006/07/28; Completed 2007/01/09; Revised 2007/11/15;

PMID: 16740317, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 12/26/2008)

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MeSH headings (categories)

This article was linked to the MESH Headings shown below.

Adolescent
Adrenocorticotropic Hormone - blood
Adult
Alcoholism - blood; rehabilitation
Breathing Exercises
Depressive Disorder - blood; diagnosis; rehabilitation
Ethanol - adverse effects
Female
Humans

Humans
Hydrocortisone - blood
Male
Middle Aged
Personality Inventory
Prolactin - blood
Statistics as Topic
Substance Withdrawal Syndrome - blood; diagnosis; rehabilitation
Yoga - psychology

Associated Chemicals: Hydrocortisone (50-23-7) ; Ethanol (64-17-5) ; Adrenocorticotropic Hormone (9002-60-2) ; Prolactin (9002-62-4)

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