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Background: The autonomic nervous system (ANS) is a complex network responsible for maintaining homeostasis. Yoga, as a traditional mind-body intervention, is known to modulate autonomic function in both healthy and clinical populations. However, the differential effects of forward versus backward-bending yoga asanas on autonomic parameters remain unexplored.
Objectives: This study aims to investigate and compare the effects of spinal flexion (forward bending) and extension (backward bending) yoga postures on autonomic variables in experienced yogic practitioners.
Methods: This single-group, randomized crossover trial will recruit 40 healthy volunteers aged 20-25 years with at least two years of yoga experience. Participants will be randomly assigned to practice either forward-bending or backward-bending postures on Day 1, followed by crossover to the alternate intervention on Day 2. Each session will include a 30-minute break between postures. Outcome measures, including electrocardiogram (ECG), surface electromyography (sEMG), electrogastrogram (EGG), and galvanic skin resistance (GSR), will be recorded at baseline, during, and after the intervention to assess autonomic, muscular, and gastrointestinal responses. Data will be subjected to appropriate statistical analyses based on distribution and type, using parametric or non-parametric tests as applicable.
Discussion: This protocol outlines a rigorous approach to evaluating posture-specific autonomic responses in yoga practitioners. The findings are expected to inform the design of tailored yoga interventions for autonomic modulation.
Keywords: autonomic function, homeostasis, spinal extension, spinal flexion, yoga, study protocol.
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Cureus
August 2025
Research, Spinal Simplicity, LLC, Overland Park, USA.
Background Sacroiliac joint fusion is performed to stabilize and fuse the joint in patients with degenerative sacroiliitis and joint dysfunction. While several posterior techniques and implants exist as alternatives to lateral approaches, biomechanical and clinical performance data for these systems used as standalone remains limited. This article provides a preliminary cadaveric and clinical assessment of a novel posterior intra-articular sacroiliac fusion implant system.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFPlast Reconstr Surg
September 2025
Department of Surgery, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, SC, Brazil.
Background: Poor recovery of active glenohumeral external rotation (aGHER) after brachial plexus birth injury (BPBI) is common. Late spinal accessory nerve to infraspinatus motor branch (SAN-IS) transfer has been reported as effective. We investigated its efficacy in children over 4 years with BPBI.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFProc Inst Mech Eng H
September 2025
IDMEC, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal.
Low back pain is estimated to affect more than 70% of the population. Recently, interspinous posterior devices are gaining attention as a less invasive alternative to the traditional pedicle screw systems. However, since most of these devices are not suitable for the L5-S1 segment, the goals for this study are to design a tailored fixation system for the L5-S1 level and to study its effects on the degenerated spine.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFZdr Varst
September 2025
Department of Physiotherapy, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Ljubljana, Zdravstvena pot 5, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia.
Introduction: In addition to sufficient trunk muscle endurance, adequate trunk flexibility, i.e. trunk muscle extensibility and spinal mobility, is an important element for the stability of the spine and pelvis.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFPLoS One
September 2025
Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, Faculty of Health and Social Sciences, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong.
Objective: Backward walking may promote the preferential recruitment of lumbar extensors to optimize flexed spinal posture adopted LBP flexion subgroup. This cross-sectional study investigated the backward-walking exercise on a) real-time muscle activation, and b) its immediate effect on back pain intensity, movement control and lumbopelvic muscle activation in individuals with chronic non-specific LBP characterized with lumbar flexion syndrome.
Method: Thirty adults with chronic non-specific LBP with clinical manifestation of flexion syndrome received assessments of their movement control at static standing and during the five-minute forward walking test, conducted before and after a 15-minute treadmill walking training in forward or backward direction (as the immediate effect), while real-time adaptation of the lumbopelvic muscles during walking training was also evaluated.