RECENT RESEARCH
quality of life ( QOL ) among individuals who received different MVMM formulations .
Methods : This three-arm non-randomized controlled trial was conducted at VitalLife Scientific Wellness Center ( VSWC ), Bangkok , Thailand . A total of 72 healthy adult individuals with total serum 25- ( OH ) D level of 20-29 ng / ml were invited to choose from the three available options : ( 1 ) Hydro-Cell-Key ( HCK ®, Hepart AG , Switzerland ) contains Vitamin D3 2,000IU , Vitamin C 1,000mg , Vitamin E 166mg , Vitamin A 1mg , Coenzyme Q10 30mg , natural Carotenoids 8mg , and citrus flavonoids 200mg in granule formulation ; ( 2 ) VTL-7 ( VWSC ) contains similar vitamins and mineral but in capsule formulation ; and ( 3 ) placebo capsule ( no supplement ). The 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey ( SF-36 ) was used to measure serum micronutrients and QOL at baseline , month 3 , and month 6 . A generalized estimating equation ( GEE ) was used to compare the repeated-measure outcomes across the three groups . This study was registered at the Thai Clinical Trial Registration ( TCTR20190205002 ) and approved by the Bumrungrad International Institutional Review Board ( BI-IRB No . 258-10-18PhFub ).
Conclusion : MVMM supplements in capsule formulation increased serum levels of some micronutrients to a higher extent than that of granule formulation . Participant adherence remains a potential confounder and should be further explored .
Yoga therapy
Cheshire A , Richards R , Cartwright T .
‘ Joining a group was inspiring ’: a qualitative study of service users ’ experiences of yoga on social prescription . BMC Complement Med Ther . 2022 ; 22 , 67 . https :// doi . org / 10.1186 / s12906-022-03514-3
Background : Yoga is becoming an increasingly popular holistic approach in the West to manage long-term health conditions . This study presents the evaluation of a pilot yoga intervention , Yoga4Health , that was developed for the NHS to be socially prescribed to patients at risk of developing specific health conditions ( risk factors for cardiovascular disease , pre-diabetes , anxiety / depression or experiencing social isolation ). The aim of this qualitative study was to explore service users ’ experiences of Yoga4Health and the acceptability of the programme . of health was also reported , and a number of participants described making positive lifestyle changes after attending the programme . Unanticipated benefits of yoga emerged for participants , such as enjoyment and social connectedness , which facilitated ongoing attendance and practice . Also key to facilitating practice ( during and after the intervention ) were suitability of the classes for those with health conditions , practising with a group and qualities of the yoga teacher . Home practice was supported by course materials ( manual , videos ), as well as the teaching of techniques for everyday application that offered immediate benefits , such as breathing practices . Follow-up questionnaires revealed a key challenge was continuation of practice once the intervention had finished , with the structure of a class important in supporting practice .
Conclusions : Yoga4Health was a highly acceptable intervention to services users , which brought a range of biopsychosocial improvements , suggesting yoga is an appropriate intervention to offer on social prescription .
Results : Both VTL-7 and HCK saw a significantly higher increase in Vitamin D than placebo at month 3 and 6 — VTL-7 from 25.15 ± 2.13 to 35.53 ± 6.11 ( p < 0.001 ) and 33.38 ± 6.89 ( p < 0.001 ); HCK from 24.25 ± 3.08 to 28.43 ± 5.93 ( p = 0.005 ) and 27.40 ± 5.24 ( p = 0.012 ); placebo from 24.00 ± 2.73 to 23.05 ± 4.39 ( p = 0.273 ) and 22.30 ± 6.23 ( p = 0.200 ), respectively . Likewise , β-carotenoids of VTL-7 vs HCK groups significantly increased from 0.88 ± 0.68 vs 0.94 ± 0.55 at baseline to 3.03 ± 1.79 ( p < 0.001 ) vs 1.09 ± 0.61 ( p = 0.125 ) and 3.26 ± 1.74 ( p < 0.001 ) vs 1.15 ± 0.66 ( p = 0.064 ), respectively . These findings were corroborated through the GEE analysis . Other micronutrients at month 3 and month 6 did not increase significantly from baseline in any group . The overall QOL among the three groups in terms of physical ( p = 0.560 ) and mental ( p = 0.750 ) increased but werewas not statistically significant .
Methods : Qualitative data were collected from three sources : 1 . Open-ended questions on questionnaires completed by services users at three different time-points ( baseline , post intervention and 3 months ); 2 . Interviews and focus groups with a subset of participants ( n = 22 ); 3 . interviews with yoga teachers delivering Yoga4Health ( n = 7 ). Each data source was analysed thematically , then findings were combined .
Results : Of participants completing baseline questionnaires ( n = 240 ), 82.5 % were female , 50 % White , with a mean age of 53 ( range 23 – 82 ) years . Baseline questionnaires revealed key motivations to attend Yoga4Health were to improve psychological and physical health , and believing Yoga4Health would be accessible for people with their health condition . Postintervention , participants reported a range of benefits across psychological , physical and social domains from Yoga4Health . Increased confidence in self-management
110 | vol28 | no2 | JATMS