Effects of a 12-Week Yoga-Based Intervention on Stress Biomarkers and Academic Outcomes Among Undergraduate Health Science Students: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Year: 2026
Type: article
Study designs: Randomized Controlled Trial, Clinical Trial
Abstract: Background: Undergraduate students frequently experience academic and psychosocial stress, which may adversely affect physiological regulation, mental well-being, and academic performance. Yoga has emerged as a potential nonpharmacological intervention for stress management; however, evidence integrating biochemical stress markers with academic outcomes in undergraduate populations remains limited. This study evaluated the effects of a 12-week yoga-based intervention on stress biomarkers and academic outcomes among undergraduate health science students. Methods: A single-blinded randomized controlled trial was conducted among 178 first-year allied health undergraduate students aged 18–20 years. Participants were randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to either a structured yoga intervention group (n = 89) or a wait-list control group (n = 89). The intervention consisted of 60-minute supervised yoga sessions conducted five days per week for 12 weeks, including asanas, pranayama, and guided meditation. Primary outcomes included serum cortisol, glutathione (GSH), thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), and fasting blood glucose (FBS). Secondary outcomes included academic scores in core subjects. Outcome assessors and laboratory personnel were blinded to group allocation. Data were analyzed using independent and paired t-tests, with p < 0.05 considered statistically significant. Results: Of the 178 randomized participants, 177 completed the study (88 intervention; 89 control). After 12 weeks, the intervention group demonstrated significantly lower serum cortisol and TBARS levels, along with higher GSH levels, compared with the control group (p < 0.001). Fasting blood glucose remained comparatively stable in the intervention group, whereas greater increases were observed among controls. Academic scores improved significantly in Anatomy, Biochemistry, and Physiology among participants receiving yoga intervention. Total percentage scores increased to 61.3% in the intervention group compared with 47.6% in the control group. No adverse events were reported during the intervention period. Conclusions: A structured 12-week yoga-based intervention was associated with improvements in physiological stress markers and academic outcomes among undergraduate students. These findings suggest that yoga may serve as a feasible and supportive non-pharmacological strategy for stress management and student well-being in higher education settings. Further multicenter studies using adjusted statistical models and longer follow-up durations are warranted. Trial Registration: Clinical Trials Registry–India (CTRI/2025/01/079735), registered on 15 January 2025.
Language: English
Subfield: Clinical Psychology
Field: Psychology
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: bronze
OpenAlex ID: W7163333484