Scientists from Harvard Medical School discovered that Bikram yoga practice can bring relief to patients with depression. Research results published In Psychiatrist.
80 people with depression participated in the 8-week study. Subjects were divided into two groups; Participants in the first group had to attend an hour and a half Bikram yoga class at least twice a week. Patients in the second group did not do this.
Bikram yoga or “hot yoga” is the practice of performing exercises in a room with a temperature of 41 degrees Celsius and 40% humidity.
At the end of the experiment, 59.3% of participants who practiced yoga experienced a 50% reduction in the severity of depressive symptoms; The subjects managed to recover. The lectures contributed to improved quality of life, even when patients attended irregularly. Additionally, this type of physical activity did not cause side effects.
The study authors added that Bikram yoga therapy may be a supportive tool in treating depression. However, such activities cannot completely replace antidepressants.
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