Currently accepted at: JMIR Formative Research
Date Submitted: Nov 5, 2025
Open Peer Review Period: Nov 5, 2025 - Dec 31, 2025
Date Accepted: Dec 31, 2025
(closed for review but you can still tweet)
This paper has been accepted and is currently in production.
It will appear shortly on 10.2196/87077
The final accepted version (not copyedited yet) is in this tab.
Acute Physiological and Emotional Responses to a Brief 24-Minute Yoga Session: A Randomized Exploratory Pilot Study with Waitlist Comparison
ABSTRACT
Background:
This pilot randomized trial evaluated the immediate effects of a brief yoga intervention on physiological stress markers and emotional state in wellness tourism.
Objective:
To test whether a 24-minute yoga session reduces salivary cortisol and salivary alpha-amylase, and increases heart rate (HR) and improves emotional states compared to waitlist control, while exploring individual variability.
Methods:
Methods:
In a single-center, parallel-group, randomized waitlist-controlled pilot study (1:1 allocation), 19 participants were assigned to a 24-minute yoga session (n=10) or waitlist control (n=9). Primary outcome was change in salivary cortisol. Secondary outcomes included salivary alpha-amylase, HR, and emotional states (stress, calmness, concentration) via Apple Watch and Kansei Analyzer (EEG). Data were analyzed using t-tests and regression.
Results:
No significant differences in salivary cortisol or alpha-amylase were observed. Yoga increased HR during postures and meditation compared to control. Individual EEG analyses suggested stress reduction in some participants.
Conclusions:
Brief yoga may offer physiological and emotional benefits for wellness tourism, but larger trials are needed. Trial not registered due to pilot nature.
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Copyright
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