Effect of restorative yoga vs. stretching on diurnal cortisol dynamics and psychosocial outcomes in individuals with the metabolic syndrome: The PRYSMS randomized controlled trial

Highlights • Neuroendocrine system dysregulation by stress may cause metabolic abnormalities. • We evaluated the impact of restorative yoga versus stretching interventions on stress. • Stress was measured with salivary cortisol and self-report instruments. • The stretching group had decreased salivary cortisol and self-reported stress. • Social support correlated with beneficial changes in cortisol in the stretching group.