The impact of yoga on stress, metabolic parameters, and cognition of Indian adolescents: Cluster randomized controlled trial
Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 18, 2025

A Community-based Stress Management Program: Using Wearable Devices to Assess Whole Body Physiological Responses in Non-laboratory Settings
Published on: January 22, 2018
Harish Ranjani1, Narayanaswamy Jagannathan1, Tina Rawal2
1Dr. Mohan's Diabetes Specialities Centre and Madras Diabetes Research Foundation, Chennai, India.
Background:
This project aimed to assess the impact of yoga on stress, metabolic parameters and cognition (attention & concentration) in adolescents, aged 13-15 years from public and private schools in two cities (Chennai and New Delhi) in India.
Methods:
The study recruited 2000 adolescents from 24 schools in a cluster randomized controlled trial design. The yoga group participants underwent 17 yoga sessions, which included: pranayama, basic asanas, meditation and relaxation exercises. Yoga sessions, were held in the school premises once a week. A total of five awareness talks on healthy lifestyle were delivered once a month to the education group. ADOlescence Stress Scale (ADOSS), salivary cortisol, metabolic and clinical parameters and Letter Cancellation Test (LCT) score were measured at baseline and post-intervention (5-6 months).
Results:
The yoga group showed statistically significant differences in the mean ADOSS score, metabolic parameters, salivary cortisol, and LCT scores compared to the education group. In the intention- to- treat analysis, a significant reduction [5.11, 95% CI (4.78, 5.36), p = 0.001] in ADOSS score was seen in the yoga group compared to education.
Conclusion:
Implementation of a 17-week standardized yoga program at the school level significantly decreased stress, improved attention and concentration, metabolic and clinical parameters in Indian adolescents.
Trial Registration:
Clinical Trials Registry, India (CTRI/2017/08/009203).
More Related Videos
06:15A Modified Trier Social Stress Test for Vulnerable Mexican American Adolescents
Published on: July 10, 2017
12:22Mindfulness in Motion MIM: An Onsite Mindfulness Based Intervention MBI for Chronically High Stress Work Environments to Increase Resiliency and Work Engagement
Published on: July 1, 2015
Related Concept Videos
Stress Prevention and Stress Management Techniques III
The Role of Exercise in Stress Management
Regular physical activity is essential for reducing stress and promoting cardiovascular health. Exercise strengthens the heart, enhances blood flow, keeps blood vessels flexible, and helps lower blood pressure, all of which reduce the body's stress response. Research shows that adults who exercise regularly have nearly half the...
Physiological Foundation of Stress
Role of the Sympathetic Nervous System
Adrenaline triggers the...
Introduction to Stress and Lifestyle
Stress and Mental Health
Individuals with depression often experience challenges in both their personal and professional...
Psychological Responses to Stress
Components of Stress
Interestingly, the hidden cube faces also experience these stresses, equal and...