Short term effect of integrated Yoga on anxiety, stress and heart rate variability in first year medical student

Introduction: Medical students are exposed to various stresses, which is known to affect cardiovascular system which can be assessed by noting the heart rate variability (HRV). Aims: To assess the anxiety, stress and HRV in first year medical students and study the effect of one month integrated yoga intervention on them. Materials and Methods: Spielberger state-trait anxiety inventory (STAI) and Perceived stress scale (PSS) were administered to 150 first year medical students. 60 students with a high anxiety and stress score were selected on the basis of specific inclusion and exclusion criteria and divided into study and control groups. A baseline HRV was documented on all 60 students. 30 students in the study group underwent supervised yoga intervention for one month. Post interventional assessments of anxiety, stress and HRV were done in both groups (study and control group). Paired t test was used to determine the statistical difference in pre and post interventions and independent t test was used to determine the statistical difference between control and study groups. Results: There was significant decrease in anxiety state and perceived stress with yoga intervention. Heart rate variability revealed that SDNN, RMSSD, Mean HR were significantly higher and LF, LF/HF ratio were significantly reduced after one month practice of yoga showing a shift towards parasympathetic dominance. Conclusions: Integrated yoga intervention showed significantly decreases in state anxiety and perceived stress, and a shift towards parasympathetic dominance in heart rate variability. However, the anxiety trait didn’t show significant improvement.