NCT07126002

Yoga Improves Bone Density and Metabolism in Elderly Osteoporosis

16-Week Yoga Improves Bone Density, Metabolism in Elderly Osteoporosis: A Controlled Trial

• Status: Completed
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 60 (actual)
• Sponsor: Beijing Sport University · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 50 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Not accepted

Summary

This study was designed to evaluate the impact of a 16-week yoga program on BMD, bone metabolism markers, and physical fitness in elderly patients with OP.

Detailed description

To assess the effects of a 16-week yoga intervention on bone mineral density (BMD), bone metabolism, and physical fitness in elderly patients with osteoporosis. This randomized controlled trial enrolled 60 adults aged 50 years or older with clinically confirmed osteoporosis. Based on personal preference, participants were assigned to either a yoga group or a control group. The intervention consisted of supervised yoga sessions conducted twice weekly for 16 weeks. The yoga intervention included physical postures, breathing exercises, and meditation/relaxation techniques. Health outcomes were assessed at baseline, mid-intervention (8 weeks), and post-intervention (16 weeks). Primary outcomes included changes in BMD at the lumbar spine and hips. Secondary outcomes comprised serum levels of osteocalcin, procollagen type 1 N-terminal propeptide (P1NP), β-CTX, 25-hydroxyvitamin D, calcium, phosphate, and performance in physical function tests, including grip strength, chair stand, single-leg balance, and timed up-and-go. This randomized controlled trial aims to find out the effect of yoga intervention on bone mineral density (BMD), bone metabolism, and physical fitness in elderly patients with osteoporosis.

Conditions

• Osteoporosis

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
BEHAVIORAL	Yoga	: Participants in this arm received a structured yoga course intervention for a period of 4 months. Sessions were held twice weekly, with each lasting 60 minutes. The curriculum was specifically designed to be gentle, slow-paced, and low-impact, making it suitable for older adults while emphasizing body awareness, mind-body integration, and psychological regulation. The course content included: breathing exercises (e.g., basic abdominal breathing combined with simple movements), asana (posture) practice (e.g., seated chair exercises, standing poses, prone poses, supine poses, and side-lying poses, emphasizing muscle activation, joint flexibility, bodybalance training, and coordination of breath with movement), and meditation and relaxation (e.g.supine rest, moon breath training, and OM chanting). All classes were instructed by experienced yoga teachers certified by the Yoga Alliance.

Timeline

• Start date: 2024-07-01
• Primary completion: 2024-12-31
• Completion: 2024-12-31
• First posted: 2025-08-15
• Last updated: 2025-08-15

Locations

1 site across 1 country: China