YOGA IN MENOPAUSE MAY HELP INSOMNIA
Taking a 12-week yoga
class and practicing at home was linked to less insomnia -- but not to fewer or
less bothersome hot flashes or night sweats. The link between yoga and better
sleep was the only statistically significant finding in this MsFLASH (Menopause
Strategies: Finding Lasting Answers for Symptoms and Health) Network randomized
controlled trial.
"Many
women suffer from insomnia during menopause, and it's good to know that yoga
may help them," said lead author Katherine Newton, PhD, a senior
investigator at Group Health Research Institute. She e-published these findings
in Menopause, ahead of print.
"Hormone therapy is the only Food and Drug
Administration-approved treatment for hot flashes and night sweats," Dr.
Newton said, "and fewer women are opting for hormone therapy these
days." That's why MsFLASH tried to see whether three more "natural"
approaches -- yoga, exercise, or fish oil -- might help ease these menopause
symptoms. The study assigned 249 healthy, previously sedentary women at
multiple sites, including Group Health, to do yoga, a moderate aerobic exercise
program, or neither -- and to take an omega-3 fatty acid supplement or a
placebo.
Exercise seemed linked to slightly improved sleep and less
insomnia and depression, and yoga also was linked to better sleep quality and
less depression -- but these effects were not statistically significant. The
omega-3 supplement was not linked to any improvement in hot flashes, night
sweats, sleep, or mood.
Comments
Post a Comment