In 2012, a pioneering randomized clinical trial conducted by researchers. They have found that yoga can significantly reduce insomnia and climacteric symptoms in postmenopausal women. The study, led by Rui Ferreira Afonso and his team, sheds new light on the potential of yoga to enhance physical and mental health in this demographic.

While yoga’s positive effects on insomnia and climacteric symptoms have been previously documented, this is the first study to specifically evaluate these effects on postmenopausal women diagnosed with insomnia through a rigorous randomized clinical trial.

The study involved postmenopausal women aged 50 to 65 who were not on hormone therapy, had an apnea-hypopnea index less than 15, and had a confirmed diagnosis of insomnia. Participants were randomly assigned to one of three groups: control, passive stretching, and yoga. Over a period of four months, the participants’ quality of life, anxiety and depression symptoms, climacteric symptoms, insomnia severity, daytime sleepiness, and stress levels were assessed using questionnaires. Additionally, all volunteers underwent polysomnography to monitor sleep patterns.

Out of the initial participants, 44 completed the study. The findings were compelling: compared to the control group, the yoga group exhibited significantly lower post-treatment scores for climacteric symptoms and insomnia severity. Moreover, the yoga group reported higher quality of life scores and showed improved stress resistance. The reduction in insomnia severity in the yoga group was notably greater than in both the control and passive-stretching groups.

This study reveals that a specific sequence of yoga practices can be highly effective in alleviating insomnia and menopausal symptoms, while also enhancing the quality of life for postmenopausal women suffering from insomnia. The researchers conclude that yoga offers a promising non-pharmacological treatment option for this population, paving the way for future investigations into its broad-ranging health benefits.

This groundbreaking research highlights yoga’s potential as a therapeutic intervention for improving the well-being of postmenopausal women, suggesting a new avenue for treatment that combines physical and mental health benefits.

Reference: Afonso, R. F., Hachul, H., Kozasa, E. H., de Souza Oliveira, D., Goto, V., Rodrigues, D., & Leite, J. R. (2012). Yoga decreases insomnia in postmenopausal women: a randomized clinical trial. Menopause, 19(2), 186-193.