Effect of a 16-week Bikram yoga program on perceived stress, self-efficacy and health-related quality of life in stressed and sedentary adults : a randomised controlled trial

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of 16 weeks of Bikram yoga on perceivedstress, self-efficacy and health related quality of life (HRQoL) in sedentary, stressed adults.Design: 16 week, parallel-arm, randomised controlled trial with flexible dosing.Methods: Physically inactive, stressed adults (37.2 +/- 10.8 years) were randomised to Bikram yoga (threeto five classes per week) or control (no treatment) group for 16 weeks. Outcome measures, collectedvia self-report, included perceived stress, general self-efficacy, and HRQoL. Outcomes were assessed atbaseline, midpoint and completion.Results: Individuals were randomised to the experimental (n = 29) or control group (n = 34). Averageattendance in the experimental group was 27 +/- 18 classes. Repeated measure analyses of variance(intention-to-treat) demonstrated significantly improved perceived stress (p = 0.003, partial n2= 0.109),general self-efficacy (p = 0.034, partial n2= 0.056), and the general health (p = 0.034, partial n2= 0.058)and energy/fatigue (p = 0.019, partial n2= 0.066) domains of HRQoL in the experimental group versusthe control group. Attendance was significantly associated with reductions in perceived stress, and anincrease in several domains of HRQoL.Conclusions: 16 weeks of Bikram yoga significantly improved perceived stress, general self-efficacy andHRQoL in sedentary, stressed adults. Future research should consider ways to optimise adherence, andshould investigate effects of Bikram yoga intervention in other populations at risk for stress-relatedillness.Trial registration: