The Alfred Hospital and Baker Institute are conducting a research project to determine if practising yoga three times per week reduces episodes of atrial fibrillation (AF).
Who can participate?
You may be eligible to participate in this clinical study if you:
▪ are 18 to 80 years old
▪ have AF that occurs periodically, or
▪ have persistent AF and on rhythm control medications;
▪ have not undergone an AF ablation in the past 12 months; and
▪ are physically able to undertake yoga and willing to commit to regular practice.
What’s involved?
This is a 12-month study where half of the participants will practise yoga (somewhere easily accessible from their home) and the other half will receive standard care. All potential participants will undergo a review by an AF specialist cardiologist in Melbourne at the onset and the end of the study.
Testing will include:
▪ VO2 max — cardiopulmonary test on a treadmill or bike;
▪ echocardiography (heart ultrasound);
▪ blood tests; and
▪ questionnaires.
All participants will also be asked to monitor their heart rhythm over the 12-month study.
Further information and an application for the study can also be found via https://baker.edu.au/research/clinical-trials/yoga-af-syoga-af@alfred.org.autudy