Effects of 8 weeks of modified hatha yoga training on resting-state brain activity and the p300 ERP in patients with physical disability-related stress

[Purpose] We examined the effects of Hatha yoga on EEG and ERP in patients with physical disability-related stress. [Participants and Methods] Eighteen male and female injured workers with high stress levels, aged between 18 to 55 years, were evenly divided into two groups: untrained (CG) and trained (TG) modified hatha yoga groups. A modified Hatha yoga protocol was designed for this population by two certified yoga instructors, approved by a physical therapist, and conducted for one hour, three times weekly for 8 weeks. [Results] The results indicated a significant increase in alpha EEG activity over the frontal, central, and parietal electrodes and the delta EEG activity over the centroparietal electrode from pre- to post-training in TG. In addition, significantly faster auditory reaction time for target stimuli, as well as lower P300 peak latency of ERP in auditory oddball paradigm were obtained in TG after 8 weeks of yoga training compare to CG. [Conclusion] Changes in brain activity and ERP components following yoga training would support the psychophysiological effects of hatha yoga as an adjunct to routine rehabilitation.