Effect of Yoga on Ventricular Premature Complex Burden and Quality of Life: The VPC-Yoga Study

Ventricular premature complexes (VPCs) are common cardiac arrhythmias with prognostic significance depending on clinical context and arrhythmia burden. Yoga modulates autonomic tone and may improve cardiac dysautonomia, including arrhythmias, while enhancing quality of life (QoL).

The objective of the study was to evaluate the efficacy of adjunctive yoga-based intervention on VPC burden, QoL, and left ventricular ejection fraction in patients with frequent VPCs.

In this single-center, prospective, randomized controlled trial, 134 patients with frequent VPCs (burden ≥5% on 24-hour Holter monitoring) were randomized (1:1) to a structured yoga intervention (n = 67) or standard care (n = 67) and followed for 24 weeks. The primary outcome was change in VPC burden. Secondary outcomes included QoL (36-Item Short Form Survey), left ventricular ejection fraction, major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events, psychological outcomes (Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale-21 Items), and heart rate variability.

The baseline VPC burden was higher in the control group than in the yoga group (21.06 [10.48-34.67] vs 13.02 [8.87-21.60]). At 6 weeks, both groups demonstrated a reduction in VPC burden (control: 19.19 [7.50-30.70]; yoga: 11.62 [5.83-21.59]). A statistically significant between-group difference was observed at 12 weeks (P = 0.02). At 24 weeks, the yoga group showed significantly better 36-Item Short Form Survey scores across all domains and Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale-21 Items scores.

Yoga as an adjunct therapeutic modality reduced VPC burden and improved QoL and psychological burden in patients with frequent VPCs. It may be useful to integrate a cost-effective, nonpharmacological intervention like yoga in the management of patients with frequent VPCs. (Effect of Yoga-based intervention on VPC burden, quality of life and LV functions in patients with Ventricular premature complexes [VPC]: A Randomized controlled Trial; CTRI/2021/06/034450).