Effects of yoga interventions on cardiac autonomic function in patients with diabetes: a randomized controlled study

Background. Diabetes mellitus is a chronic condition often accompanied by autonomic neuropathy and reduced heart rate variability (HRV), which is associated with increased cardiovascular risk. Yoga has shown promise as a non-pharmacological intervention to improve autonomic function in various populations. Objectives. The primary objective of this randomized controlled trial was to evaluate the effects of a 12-week yoga intervention on cardiac autonomic function, as measured by HRV parameters, in patients with type 2 diabetes. Methods. Ninety adults with type 2 diabetes were randomly assigned to either a yoga intervention group (n = 45) or a control group (n = 45). The yoga group participated in a 60-minute yoga session three times per week for 12 weeks, while the control group maintained their usual care. Short-term HRV was assessed at baseline and post-intervention using time-domain (SDNN, RMSSD, pNN50) and frequency-domain (LF, HF, LF/HF ratio) parameters. Additional cardiometabolic risk factors were also evaluated. Results. The yoga group demonstrated significant improvements in time-domain HRV parameters, including mean RR, mean HR, SDNN, RMSSD, and pNN50 (p < 0.05). In the frequency domain, the yoga group showed a significant increase in HF power (p = 0.03) and reductions in LF power (p = 0.02) and LF/HF ratio (p = 0.04), suggesting enhanced parasympathetic activity and better autonomic balance. The control group showed a decline in SDNN and pNN50 over the study period. Conclusions. A 12-week yoga program significantly improved cardiac autonomic function in individuals with type 2 diabetes, as demonstrated by positive shifts in both time-domain and frequency-domain HRV measures. These results indicate that yoga could serve as a helpful complementary approach to standard diabetes treatment, potentially lowering the risk of cardiovascular issues by enhancing autonomic regulation.