OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was investigating the effect of 12 weeks of yoga and aerobic
exercise (running on a treadmill) on the sleep quality in women with Type 2 diabetes.
MATERIALS AND METHODS 39 diabetic women were selected from Semnan city with the mean age of 46.85±3.35
years, weight of 69.79±17.18 kg, height of 155.03±5.00, BMI of 29.64±5.00 kg/m2 who had a background of diabetes for 6.46±2.69 years. They were then randomly divided
into yoga exercise (n=15), aerobic exercise (n=13), and control group (n=11). The
exercise program was performed for 12 weeks, three sessions per each week. In order
to measure the sleep quality, the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) was used.
The data were analyzed by non-parametric wilcoxon and Kruskal-Wallis Test at significance
level of p<0.05.
RESULTS Overall score of sleep quality improved after six (p=0.001) and 12 (p=0.001) weeks of yoga exercise. Also, significant effect was observed after 6 weeks
of aerobic exercise (p=0.039). However, the positive effect was diminished to under significant levels after
12 weeks of aerobic exercise (p=0.154). Kruskal-Wallis Test showed significant differences between yoga and aerobic
groups after 12 weeks of exercise (p=0.002). No significant differences were observed in control groups in all situation.
CONCLUSIONS It can be concluded that yoga exercise is more effective in improving the sleep quality
in comparison with the same course of aerobic exercise in women suffering from diabetes
Type 2. Thus, yoga exercise can be suggested to these patients.
Yoga - Sleep - Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 - Exercise