Effect of a home-based simple yoga program in child-care workers: a randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVES: This study investigated the effect of a brief, simple, home-based yoga program on body pain and health status in child-care workers. DESIGN: This was a randomized, controlled trial comparing a home-based yoga group and a control group. PARTICIPANTS: The trial comprised 98 healthy female nursery school and kindergarten teachers. INTERVENTIONS: A DVD of a simple home-based yoga program was provided for a period of 2 weeks. OUTCOME MEASURES: The primary outcome measure was the reported change in body pain at 2 weeks (after intervention) and 4 weeks (follow-up). The secondary outcome measure was the 30-item General Health Questionnaire (GHQ30) score and physical function. RESULTS: The 67 yoga group participants reported improved menstrual pain at 4 weeks; menstrual pain was reduced from 57.0 ± 27.8 to 37.8 ± 26.7 in the yoga group, versus 52.4 ± 36.5 to 46.9 ± 32.1 in the control group (change from baseline in the yoga group versus change from baseline in the control group, -15.3 points; p=0.044). The total GHQ30 score and the GHQ subscale scores ("sleep disturbance" and "anxiety and dysphoria") improved significantly at 4 weeks in the yoga group, but not in the control group. In the good-adherence group, low back pain improved during the intervention (p=0.006) and follow-up (p=0.001) periods. Menstrual pain was also improved (p=0.044). No adverse events were observed. CONCLUSIONS: A home-based simple yoga program may improve the health status of child-care workers.

Impact of dietary folate intake on depressive symptoms in young women of reproductive age.

INTRODUCTION: Folate deficiencies may be linked to depressive disorders among persons suffering from neurological and psychiatric problems. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the impact of dietary folate intake on depressive symptoms in young Japanese women of reproductive age. METHODS: The study was conducted in Japan in 2009 with 141 Japanese women aged 18 to 28 years. A Japanese version of the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression (CES-D) scale was used to screen for depressive symptoms. Dietary intake was investigated by a diet history questionnaire. Nonfasting blood samples were collected from the women to measure folate and homocysteine levels. RESULTS: The proportion of women with lower folate intake (< 240 µg/d) was significantly higher in the women with CES-D scores greater than or equal to 19 when compared with the folate levels in those with CES-D scores less than 19 (75.0% vs 43.6%, respectively; P < .001). Logistic regression analysis revealed significant associations between CES-D scores greater than or equal to 19, low folate intake, and low vitamin B(6) intake when adjusted for age, living status, smoking, and body mass index. Adequate folate intake of more than the recommended dietary allowance (RDA) level of 240 µg per day was independently related to a decreased risk of depression (adjusted odds ratio 0.22; 95% confidence interval, 0.11-0.56; P < .001). DISCUSSION: Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed a reduced incidence of depression in women whose intake of folate exceeded the RDA of 240 µg per day. This finding suggests that dietary folate intake may be causally related to depressive symptoms in women of reproductive age. If results of studies powered to determine causal relationships are similarly positive, folate supplementation could reduce the incidence of depression.

Effect of regular gum chewing on levels of anxiety, mood, and fatigue in healthy young adults.

INTRODUCTION: The effect of regular gum chewing on psychological status is unknown. The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of gum chewing for fourteen days on psychological status and physical and mental fatigue in healthy young adults. METHODS: We assigned 50 volunteers randomly to an intervention group (n = 26) and a control group (n = 24). Participants in the intervention group were requested to chew the gum twice per a day for fourteen days. The volunteers were required to complete a questionnaire related to lifestyle for baseline assessment. The State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), the Profile of Mood State (POMS), the World Health Organization Quality of Life 26, and assessment of physical and mental fatigue by visual analog scale were used at baseline, 2 weeks (after intervention), and 4 weeks (follow-up). RESULTS: At 2 weeks, the score of state anxiety was significantly lower in the intervention group than the control group. The intervention participants' scores of depression-dejection, fatigue and confusion in POMS were better than the control group scores. Mental fatigue were also relieved after the intervention. At 4 weeks, there were no significant differences between both groups. CONCLUSION: Fourteen days' gum chewing may improve the levels of anxiety, mood and fatigue.