Yoga: An Old Discipline With a New Indication for Reducing Cardiac Arrhythmias

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Pacific University
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School of Physician Assistant Studies Theses, Dissertations and Capstone Projects
Summer 8-9-2014
Yoga: An Old Discipline With a New Indication for
Reducing Cardiac Arrhythmias
Duane (DJ) Fenn
Pacific University
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Recommended Citation
Fenn, Duane (DJ), "Yoga: An Old Discipline With a New Indication for Reducing Cardiac Arrhythmias" (2014).School of Physician
Assistant Studies.Paper 473.
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Yoga: An Old Discipline With a New Indication for Reducing Cardiac
Arrhythmias
Abstract
Background:Cardiac arrhythmias are any abnormality or disruption of the normal activation sequence of the
myocardium in the heart. Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common type of cardiac arrhythmia and is
associated with increased mortality and morbidity. Patients with cardiac arrhythmias have a decreased quality
of life (QoL) and an increased psychosocial burden. Yoga has demonstrated to be an effective tool in reducing
blood pressure in patients with hypertension, reducing symptoms of depression, anxiety, and increasing QoL.
Yoga as a treatment for patients with cardiac arrhythmias has yet to be investigated fully. Will yoga decrease
the amount of cardiac arrhythmias in arrhythmia-prone individuals?
Methods:An exhaustive search of available medical literature was performed using Medline-OVID,
CINAHL, PubMed, and Web of Science using the keywords: “yoga”, “arrhythmias, cardiac.” A search of the
National Institute of Health (NIH) clinical trials website showed one related clinical trial currently recruiting.
Results:Two studies met inclusion criteria and were included in the systematic review. The first study is an
observational pre-post cohort study that examined the impact of a structured 3-month yoga program on AF.
Fifty two patients were enrolled and results showed dramatic decreases in the frequency of AF while in the
yoga program compared to the control period. The second study is a retrospective observational cohort study
to determine the effects of Pranayama, a type of yoga breathing exercise, on the QT dispersion (QTd) in
patients with arrhythmias. Fifteen patients were enrolled in the analysis and results demonstrate a statistically
significant decrease in the QTd as captured on electrocardiogram (ECG) over the course of the 12-week yoga-
breathing program.
Conclusion:Yoga is a successful complementary and alternative treatment for cardiac arrhythmias. It can
help lower blood pressure, stress, anxiety and depression that may trigger episodes of AF or other cardiac
arrhythmias. The cost of yoga is much less than medications and has little to no adverse effects. Although
clinical trials are needed to give more support to the evidence presented in these studies, Yoga should be
implemented in therapy strategies for patients with cardiac arrhythmias.
Degree Type
Capstone Project
Degree Name
Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies
First Advisor
A.J. Sommers
Second Advisor
Saje Davis-Risen
This capstone project is available at CommonKnowledge:http://commons.pacificu.edu/pa/473
Keywords
Yoga, Arrhythmias, Cardiac, Atrial fibrillation, Quality of life
Subject Categories
Medicine and Health Sciences
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NOTICE TO READERS

This work is not a peer-reviewed publication. The Master’s Candidate author of this
work has made every effort to provide accurate information and to rely on authoritative
sources in the completion of this work. However, neither the author nor the faculty
advisor(s) warrants the completeness, accuracy or usefulness of the information provided
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Yoga: An Old Diisscciipplliinnee With a New Indication ffoorr RReedduucciinngg
Cardiac Arrhythmias

Duane J (DJ) Fenn

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Biography

DJ Fenn is a native of Arizona, where he received his Bachelor of Science degree in
Health Administration from the University of Phoenix. After completing his degree,
he worked as a Clinical Research Coordinator where he abetted in over 15 different
clinical trials before entering Pacific University’s PA Program. DJ enjoys all types of
music and plays the guitar. He also enjoys tennis, and spending time with his wife
and family.

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Abstract

Background: Cardiac arrhythmias are any abnormality or disruption of the normal
activation sequence of the myocardium in the heart. Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the
most common type of cardiac arrhythmia and is associated with increased mortality
and morbidity. Patients with cardiac arrhythmias have a decreased quality of life
(QoL) and an increased psychosocial burden. Yoga has demonstrated to be an
effective tool in reducing blood pressure in patients with hypertension, reducing
symptoms of depression, anxiety, and increasing QoL. Yoga as a treatment for
patients with cardiac arrhythmias has yet to be investigated fully. Will yoga
decrease the amount of cardiac arrhythmias in arrhythmia-prone individuals?

Methods: An exhaustive search of available medical literature was performed using
Medline-OVID, CINAHL, PubMed, and Web of Science using the keywords: “yoga”,
“arrhythmias, cardiac.” A search of the National Institute of Health (NIH) clinical
trials website showed one related clinical trial currently recruiting.

Results: Two studies met inclusion criteria and were included in the systematic
review. The first study is an observational pre-post cohort study that examined the
impact of a structured 3-month yoga program on AF. Fifty two patients were
enrolled and results showed dramatic decreases in the frequency of AF while in the
yoga program compared to the control period. The second study is a retrospective
observational cohort study to determine the effects of Pranayama, a type of yoga
breathing exercise, on the QT dispersion (QTd) in patients with arrhythmias. Fifteen
patients were enrolled in the analysis and results demonstrate a statistically
significant decrease in the QTd as captured on electrocardiogram (ECG) over the
course of the 12-week yoga-breathing program.

Conclusion: Yoga is a successful complementary and alternative treatment for
cardiac arrhythmias. It can help lower blood pressure, stress, anxiety and
depression that may trigger episodes of AF or other cardiac arrhythmias. The cost of
yoga is much less than medications and has little to no adverse effects. Although
clinical trials are needed to give more support to the evidence presented in these
studies, Yoga should be implemented in therapy strategies for patients with cardiac
arrhythmias.

• • •
Keywords: Yoga Arrhythmias, cardiac Atrial fibrillation Quality of life

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Acknowledgements

To my Wife: I lack the depth of words needed to express my thanks
for all the help and support you have given me during this process. Thank
you with all that I have.

To The faculty at Pacific University: Thank you for all the inspiration
and continuous support that I have received during my PA school experience.
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Table of Contents

Biography ................................................................................................................................................... 2
Abstract ....................................................................................................................................................... 3
Acknowledgements ................................................................................................................................ 4
Table of Contents .................................................................................................................................... 5
List of Tables ............................................................................................................................................. 6
List of Figures ........................................................................................................................................... 6
List of Abbreviations.............................................................................................................................. 6
BACKGROUND .......................................................................................................................................... 7
METHODS .................................................................................................................................................. 9
RESULTS ..................................................................................................................................................... 9
DISCUSSION ........................................................................................................................................... 13
CONCLUSION ......................................................................................................................................... 15
References .............................................................................................................................................. 16
Figure 1. Differences in Primary Efficacy Outcomes Measures Between the Control
and Intervention Phase.........................................................................................................................19
Table 1. Characteristics of Reviewed Studies ........................................................................... 20

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