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Effects of yoga on menopausal symptoms and sleep quality across menopause statuses: A randomized controlled trial
Parallel-group RCT (104 vs 104) of 20 weeks of yoga versus control reports lower menopause symptom scores and improved Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index in perimenopausal and postmenopausal women after covariate adjustment, but not in premenopausal participants.
Design
- RCT, Taipei Medical University nursing school–led
- Arms: 104 yoga vs 104 control; 20 weeks of yoga in intervention arm
- Outcomes: DASS stress/mood scales, MSPSS social support, Menopause Rating Scale, PSQI
Findings (abstract)
- Menopause symptoms: yoga reduced scores; largest mean change in postmenopausal stratum (~14.98 ± 7.10 on MRS)
- Sleep quality (PSQI): significant improvement in peri- and postmenopausal women after adjusting for social support, mood, stress, and menopause symptoms (p < 0.001); no significant PSQI change in premenopausal women
Evidence hygiene
- Self-report questionnaires—does not replace CBT-I for chronic insomnia or OSA workup when snoring or daytime sleepiness dominate.
- Menopause stage strongly moderates response—do not extrapolate premenopausal nulls to older cohorts without reading subgroup tables.
Publication
Susanti HD, Sonko I, Chang PC, et al. Nurs Health Sci. 2022 Jun;24(2):368-379. PMID 35191141.
Outcomes
- After covariate adjustment, PSQI global sleep quality improved with 20 weeks of yoga in perimenopausal and postmenopausal women (p<0.001) but not in premenopausal participants; menopause rating scores decreased with yoga, strongest in postmenopause.