Bioenergetic and Stress-related Effects of a Structured Yoga Intervention in a High-stress Institutional Setting: A Pre–Post Study Using Electrophotonic Imaging

Background: Institutional stress can cause physiological dysregulation and disturbance in energy homeostasis. Yoga practice can help to reduce stress and promote equilibrium of the whole body, however, there are not many studies proving bioenergetics changes objectively. Aims and Objectives: To study the effects of yoga practice on stress and bioenergetic parameters with electrophotonic imaging. Materials and Methods: Prospective pre-post study among 96 adult males living in stressful institutional environment was conducted. They practiced 45 min of yoga per day (asanas, pranayama, meditation). Energy level, entropy coefficient, form coefficient, balance, stress score, and organ imbalance were measured using the Bio-Well electrophotonic imaging. Statistical tests used were paired-sample t-test, Cohen's d, correlation analysis. Results: Significant increase was revealed in energy level ( P < 0.001, d = 0.90), entropy coefficient ( P = 0.002, d = 0.38), form coefficient ( P < 0.001, d = 0.58), balance ( P = 0.022) and stress score ( P = 0.020, d = 0.29). Non-significant decrease in organ disbalance ( P = 0.171). Power of post-hoc analysis was ≥86%. Conclusion: Structured yoga program for 60 days can have beneficial effects on bioenergetics and stress-related characteristics in people living in high-stress environment.