Researchers from the All India Institute of Medical Sciences in New Delhi examined the short-term impact of a brief yoga intervention on some of the biochemical risk indicators for cardiovascular disease and diabetes mellitus.

Ninety-eight subjects (67 male, 31 female), ages 20-74, with hypertension, coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus, and a variety of other illnesses, participated in a lifestyle training program that consisted of yoga asanas (postures), pranayama (breathing exercises), relaxation techniques, group support, individualized advice, lectures and films on the philosophy of yoga and the place of yoga in daily life, meditation, stress management, nutrition, and knowledge about their disease.

Two Meditation Sessions Reduce Postprandial Glucose in People with Diabetes

Fifty-five subjects with Type 2 Diabetes derive significant benefit (glucose, blood pressure) from 2 sessions of simple sitting-breathing meditation.

Researchers from the Division of Preventive and Social Medicine at Pranangklao General Hospital in Nonthaburi, Thailand evaluated the hypoglycemic effect of a Sitting-Breathing Meditation protocol ("Somporn Kantaradusdi-Triamchaisri Technique 1" or "SKT1") on Type 2 diabetic patients.

A study out of Xinjiang Medical University in China shows that occupational stress increases blood sugar in a group of female oil field workers, but not cholesterol.

Researchers from the Department of Occupational Health at Xinjiang Medical University in China studied the effects of occupational stress on immunological function, glucose, and blood lipid levels of female workers.

Occupational role, personal strain, and personal abilities were assessed in 900 female workers working in an oil-field setting (the observation group) and in 220 female workers in other occupational settings (controls).

Once again a pilot study shows that self-regulation techniques - this time biofeedback and relaxation - are effective at reducing blood glucose levels and HbA1c in people with Type 2 Diabetes.

Researchers at the Department of Psychiatry, Medical University of Ohio in Toledo conducted randomized, controlled clinical trials to determine the effects of biofeedback and relaxation on blood glucose and HbA1c (A1C) in patients with type 2 diabetes.

Reviewers from the University of Virginia conclude that thermal biofeedback can improve peripheral circulation, pain, neuropathy, ulcer healing, ambulatory activity, and quality of life in people with diabetes mellitus with impaired blood flow to the limbs.

Researchers from The Center for the Study of Complementary and Alternative Therapies at The University of Virginia Health System in Charlottesville reviewed studies of thermal biofeedback as an intervention designed to help people with diabetes mellitus with the impaired peripheral blood flow that often occurs with this condition, causing complications, lower-extremity pain, reduced functional status, and impaired quality of life.

Stress reduction techniques such as relaxation and breathing exercises can help lower A1c (HbA1c) levels by as much as 1% or more, according to principle investigator, Richard Surwit of Duke University Medical Center.

The study worked with 108 patients with type 2 (adult onset) diabetes. All patients took part in 5 30-minute educational sessions about diabetes. Half also got stress management training as well. There were no differences in weight, diet or exercise between the 2 groups.