Adolescents and young adults (AYA) with diabetes experience significant biopsychosocial burden linked to hormonal shifts, HPA‑axis dysregulation, autonomic imbalance, metainflammation, and socio‑emotional stress, with heightened challenges among marginalized populations and those with “double diabetes.” This pilot evaluated the feasibility of an eight‑week integrative, chakra‑informed yoga program for AYA with type 1 or type 2 diabetes and included caregiver assessments to explore preliminary multidomain outcomes. To assess feasibility and explore preliminary psychological, physiological, relational, and biomarker changes following a developmentally attuned Kundalini yoga program for AYA with diabetes and their caregivers. A prospective, single‑arm pilot delivered weekly 90‑minute sessions integrating chakra‑aligned movement, breathwork, mantra, mudras, meditation, journaling, and peer dialogue. Psychological indicators, stress‑regulation markers, relational measures, inflammatory and cardiometabolic biomarkers, glycemic indices, and anthropometrics were collected pre‑intervention, post‑intervention, and three‑month follow‑up. Within‑subject changes were assessed using Wilcoxon signed‑rank tests and Friedman tests. Thirteen AYA (mean age 17.9 ± 1.8 years; 77% Black/African American; 92% type 1 diabetes) and 12 caregivers completed all assessments. Feasibility was high (attendance 84%; retention 100%). Adolescent diabetes distress decreased pre‑to‑post (p < 0.05); caregiver distress decreased pre‑to‑post and at follow‑up (p < 0.01). Adolescent perceived stress (p = 0.03) and serum cortisol (p = 0.02) declined across timepoints. Total cholesterol (p = 0.01) and LDL (p = 0.01) also decreased. This single‑group pilot supports feasibility and was associated with improvements in psychological distress, stress‑regulation markers, and cardiometabolic indices. Larger controlled trials are warranted to evaluate potential additive benefits alongside standard diabetes care. • High feasibility: The 8-week integrative program achieved 84% attendance, 100% retention, and strong CGM adherence, demonstrating acceptability, sustained engagement, and integration within routine diabetes care. • Exploratory psychosocial signals: Directional reductions in diabetes-related distress, depressive symptoms, and perceived stress were observed; anxiety remained stable, indicating potential psychosocial benefit without symptom exacerbation. • Physiological safety: Cortisol levels decreased and lipid profiles improved, with stable glycemic outcomes and minimal hypoglycemia, supporting the biological safety and tolerability of this complementary intervention. • Equity and family relevance: Caregiver distress decreased; a developmentally attuned, culturally responsive design underscores the promise of low-cost, family-centered support for historically underserved youth.
Lekach et al. (Sun,) studied this question.