Trial suggests yoga and exercise lead to modest improvements in menopause-related quality of life: longer term studies are needed

Commentary on: Reed SD, Guthrie KA, Newton KM, et al.. Menopausal quality of life: RCT of yoga, exercise, and omega-3 supplements. Am J Obstet Gynecol 2014;210:244.e1–11. Context Since publication of the Women's Health Initiative Study, the potential benefits of non-pharmacological therapies for menopause-related symptoms have gained increased interest among midlife women, clinicians and researchers.1 Interventions requiring behavioural change have yielded mixed outcomes, owing to small sample sizes, a variety of outcome measures, lack of control groups and limited follow-up.2–4 Methods To assess the effects of exercise, yoga and -3 therapy on menopause-specific quality of life, MS-FLASH investigators conducted a multisite factorial design (3x2), randomised controlled trial in which women were randomised to 12 weeks of exercise, yoga or usual activity and simultaneously randomised to receive -3 supplements or a placebo. The yoga intervention emphasised cooling breathing exercises (Asthana)...
Source: Evidence-Based Medicine - Category: Internal Medicine Authors: Tags: Pain (neurology), Sleep disorders (neurology), Stroke, Menopause (including HRT), Anxiety disorders (including OCD and PTSD), Mood disorders (including depression), Sleep disorders, Sleep disorders (respiratory medicine) Therapeutics Source Type: research