Benefits Of Yoga

Two studies have suggested that individuals with rheumatoid arthritis and fibromyalgia who practice yoga showed statistically significant improvements in disease activity. The results of one study conducted in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) among 47 patients (26 yoga patients and 21 controls) demonstrated that patients who completed 12 sessions of Raj yoga which is one of the gentler styles of yoga, combining exercise and breathing techniques showed significant improvements in disease activity scores (DAS28) of p=0.021 and health assessment questionnaire's. However there was no statistically significant improvement on the quality of life scale (QoL). "Most patients with RA do not exercise regularly despite the fact that those who do report less pain and are therefore more physically active," said Dr Humeira Badsha MD Rheumatologist and founder of the Emirates Arthritis Foundation, Dubai, UAE. "While our study has been conducted in a small group of patients the results show clear benefits for patients who regularly practice Raj yoga. We believe that practicing yoga longer term could in fact result in further significant improvements and hope our study drives further research into the benefits of yoga in RA," added Badsha. Results of another study investigating the effects of yoga on the QoL of patients with fibromyalgia, demonstrated that QoL scores, after an eight session classical yoga program which combines gentle yoga postures, breathing techniques and meditation, were better than scores obtained before the program along with a significant decrease in the anxiety levels of patients. As anxiety is often a key symptom in patients with this condition, this study represents a positive step in improving the lives of people suffering from fibrolmyalgia.

Heurone Disease

A new study has found that people with longer ring fingers relative to the index finger are much more likely to have motor neuron disease. UK researchers measured the finger length of 110 people, including 47 with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), the most common form of the disease. The ratio between the fingers has already been linked to many traits, including sporting prowess and aggression, and is believed to be set in the womb. Experts believe a longer fourth finger relative to the index finger could be partly determined by how much exposure a baby has to the male hormone testosterone before birth. Indeed, men often do have slightly longer ring fingers than index fingers, while women often do not. And experts know that motor neurons need testosterone for survival and repair, and men who are born without the ability to use testosterone in the normal way develop a form of motor neuron degeneration. However, experts say finger length cannot help screen for ALS and more work is needed.This simple, but carefully conducted study raises some interesting questions about how events occurring before birth may increase the risk of developing motor neuron disease later in life," the BBC quoted Dr Brian Dickie of the Motor Neurone Disease Association, as saying. "But it's important to remember that exposure to higher testosterone in the womb does not directly cause motor neuron disease," he said. "Many people with long ring fingers will never develop motor neuron disease as we believe there are numerous genetic and environmental factors that need to coincide in order to trigger the disease," he added. The finding is published in the Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery and Psychiatry.