Mohanapriya Pandiyan1, Desigamani Kanniyappan2, Karuppasamy Govindasamy3, Kumaran Badri4, Mou Pramanik5, Ibnu Noufal Kambitta Valappil6, Robert Citozi7, Vlad Adrian Geantă8,9
1Meenakshi Academy of Higher Education and Research, Faculty of Yoga Science and Therapy, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
2Madha Medical College and Research Institute, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
3Symbiosis International (Deemed University), Department of Sports Recreation and Wellness, Modallaguda, Nandigama, Hyderabad, Telangana, India
4Tat Sat Yoga Studio & Research Centre, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
5SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Department of Yoga, Faculty of Science and Humanities, Kattankulathur, Tamil Nadu, India
6Department of Physical Education and Sports, Pondicherry University, Puducherry, India
7Sports University of Tirana, Faculty of Physical Activity and Recreation, Rruga Muhamet Gjollesha 1001, Albania
8Aurel Vlaicu University of Arad, Faculty of Physical Education and Sport, 2-4, Elena Dragoi, 310330 Arad, Romania
9Doctoral School of Sport Science and Physical Education, Pitești University Center, National University of Science and Technology Politehnica Bucharest, 110253 Pitești, Romania
Therapeutic Effects of Yoga on Physiological and Psychological Parameters in Women with Early Adulthood Hypothyroidism: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Sport Mont 2025, 23(1), 125-130 | DOI: 10.26773/smj.250219
Abstract
Hypothyroidism is a common endocrine disorder impacting metabolic, cardiovascular, and psychological health in women. While conventional management emphasizes pharmacological treatments, yoga offers potential as a complementary intervention for addressing multisystemic complications. To evaluate the efficacy of a 16-week yoga intervention on thyroid function, body composition, cardiovascular parameters, and psychological well-being among women with early adulthood hypothyroidism. This prospective, randomized, controlled, single-blind parallel-group trial included 60 women aged 20–39 with hypothyroidism. Participants were randomized into yoga (n=30) and control (n=30) groups. The yoga group underwent five weekly 90-minute sessions incorporating asanas, pranayama, meditation, and mindfulness techniques for 16 weeks. Outcome measures included thyroid function markers (TSH, T3, T4), anthropometric measurements (BMI), cardiovascular parameters (systolic and diastolic blood pressure), and psychological assessments (Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale [DASS], self-esteem scores). The yoga group showed significant (p<0.05) improvements: TSH decreased by 1.1 mIU/L, T3 increased by 0.2 nmol/L, BMI reduced by 1.7 kg/m², systolic and diastolic blood pressure dropped by 8 mmHg and 6 mmHg, respectively (both), DASS scores declined by 9.4 points, and self-esteem scores increased by 5.3 points. In conclusion, yoga demonstrated moderate-to-large effect sizes (d=0.54–1.12) across endocrine, cardiovascular, and psychological outcomes, underscoring its value as a holistic, non-pharmacological approach for managing hypothyroidism. Additionally, the sustained benefits observed across multiple health domains highlight yoga's potential to improve long-term quality of life and reduce the risk of associated comorbidities in women with early adulthood hypothyroidism.
Keywords
hypothyroidism, yoga intervention, thyroid function, body composition, cardiovascular health, psychological well-being
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