The Effect of Mindfulness Yin Yoga on Autonomic Regulation and Perceived Stress Symptoms Among Nurses: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Author : Hui-Chih Chang

Abstract : Objectives: This study is the first to utilize both objective physiological markers and subjective psychometric measures to investigate the efficacy of a Mindfulness Yin Yoga (MYY) intervention in alleviating stress among nursing professionals. Methods: Sixty-six nurses from a medical center in New Taipei County with a Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) score > 8 were recruited and randomly assigned to either an 8-week MYY intervention group (n=33) or a waitlist control group (n=33). Primary outcomes included Heart Rate Variability (HRV) parameters to assess autonomic function. Secondary outcomes included the Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI) and the 12-item Short Form Health Survey (SF-12). Statistical analyses were performed using ANCOVA following an Intent-to-Treat (ITT) approach, with Last Observation Carried Forward (LOCF) for missing data imputation. Results: The MYY group demonstrated significantly greater improvements compared to the control group across multiple HRV indices, including mean heart rate (p<0.0001), Total Power (p=0.0003), Low Frequency (p=0.0001), and High Frequency (p=0.0002) power, though no significant difference was observed for the LF/HF ratio (p=0.39). Furthermore, the MYY group showed significant reductions in anxiety (BAI, p=0.032) and improved quality of life, specifically within the Physical Component Summary (PCS) of the SF-12 (p<0.01). Conclusion: An 8-week MYY intervention effectively enhances autonomic nervous system regulation and alleviates physical and psychological distress in stressed nurses. These findings suggest that MYY is a viable, evidence-based intervention for promoting occupational health and psychological resilience within the healthcare workforce.

Keywords : Mindfulness, yoga, nurses, stress, autonomic.

Conference Name : International Conference on Neuroscience and Neural Connectivity (ICNNC-26)

Conference Place : Zurich, Switzerland

Conference Date : 24th Mar 2026