A systematic review of yoga interventions as alternative and complementary treatment in cardiovascular disease

Cardiovascular disease, including coronary artery disease, is a leading cause of morbidity, disability, and death worldwide. Researchers are studying lifestyle modifications and alternative forms of therapy to prevent and mitigate the disease. Yoga, a mind-body intervention, utilizes breathing techniques along with low-impact physical postures and meditation that may be used as an alternative treatment for patients with heart disease. The purpose of this study was to conduct a systematic review of yoga interventions done with patients of cardiovascular disease and ascertain the efficacy of such interventions.  The inclusion criteria for interventions were: (a) published in the English language between 2005 and 2014; (b) indexed in MEDLINE/PubMed, CINAHL, or Alt HealthWatch; (c) employed a quantitative design; (d) applied a yoga intervention; and (e) utilized patients with cardiovascular disease as opposed to healthy subjects. A total of nine interventions met the inclusion criteria. Of the studies reviewed, all documented significant improvements in one or more factors associated with cardiovascular disease, including fasting plasma glucose, cholesterol levels, plasma serum levels, and/or blood pressure. Limitations of this systematic review include a lack of substantial number of studies adhering to the inclusion criteria, a lack of theory-based approaches, and a lack of consistency in the scales used to measure outcomes of the yoga interventions. Additionally, intervention dosage varied greatly among the studies reviewed. Despite the limitations, the studies reviewed demonstrate the clear potential yoga has as an alternative and complementary means to prevent and control heart disease among sufferers worldwide.