BACKGROUND In a previous randomized controlled trial, we found that sitting isometric yoga improves fatigue in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) who are resistant to conventional therapy. The aim of this study was to investigate possible mechanisms behind this finding, focusing on the short-term fatigue-relieving effect, by comparing autonomic nervous function and blood biomarkers before and after a session of isometric yoga. METHODS Fifteen patients with CFS who remained symptomatic despite at least 6 months of conventional therapy practiced sitting isometric yoga (biweekly 20 min practice with a yoga instructor and daily home practice) for eight weeks. Acute effects of sitting isometric yoga on fatigue, autonomic function, and blood biomarkers were investigated after the final session with an instructor. The effect of a single session of sitting isometric yoga on fatigue was assessed by the Profile of Mood Status (POMS) questionnaire immediately before and after the session. Autonomic nervous function (heart rate (HR) variability) and blood biomarkers (cortisol, DHEA-S, TNF-α, IL-6, IFN-γ, IFN-α, prolactin, carnitine, TGF-β1, BDNF, MHPG, and HVA) were compared before and after the session. RESULTS Sitting isometric yoga significantly reduced the POMS fatigue score (p < 0.01) and increased the vigor score (p < 0.01). It also reduced HR (p < 0.05) and increased the high frequency power (p < 0.05) of HR variability. Sitting isometric yoga increased serum levels of DHEA-S (p < 0.05), reduced levels of cortisol (p < 0.05) and TNF-α (p < 0.05), and had a tendency to reduce serum levels of prolactin (p < 0.1). Decreases in fatigue scores correlated with changes in plasma levels of TGF-β1 and BDNF. In contrast, increased vigor positively correlated with HVA. CONCLUSIONS A single session of sitting isometric yoga reduced fatigue and increased vigor in patients with CFS. Yoga also increased vagal nerve function and changed blood biomarkers in a pattern that suggested anti-stress and anti-inflammatory effects. These changes appear to be related to the short-term fatigue-relieving effect of sitting isometric yoga in patients with CFS. Furthermore, dopaminergic nervous system activation might account for sitting isometric yoga-induced increases in energy in this patient population. TRIAL REGISTRATION University Hospital Medical Information Network (UMIN CTR) UMIN000009646. Registered Dec 27, 2012.

中文翻译：

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慢性疲劳综合征患者因坐等长瑜伽引起的疲劳、自主神经功能和血液生物标志物的变化。

背景 在之前的一项随机对照试验中，我们发现坐等长瑜伽可以改善对常规治疗有抵抗力的慢性疲劳综合征 (CFS) 患者的疲劳。本研究的目的是通过比较等长瑜伽前后的自主神经功能和血液生物标志物，研究这一发现背后的可能机制，重点是短期缓解疲劳的效果。方法 15 名 CFS 患者尽管接受了至少 6 个月的常规治疗，但仍然有症状，他们练习了 8 周的坐姿等长瑜伽（每两周与瑜伽教练一起​​练习 20 分钟，每天在家练习）。在与教练的最后一节课后，研究了坐姿等长瑜伽对疲劳、自主神经功能和血液生物标志物的急性影响。单次坐姿等长瑜伽对疲劳的影响通过课程前后的情绪状态 (POMS) 问卷进行评估。自主神经功能（心率 (HR) 变异性）和血液生物标志物（皮质醇、DHEA-S、TNF-α、IL-6、IFN-γ、IFN-α、催乳素、肉碱、TGF-β1、BDNF、MHPG 和HVA）在会话之前和之后进行了比较。结果 坐等长瑜伽显着降低了 POMS 疲劳评分 (p < 0.01) 并增加了活力评分 (p < 0.01)。它还降低了 HR (p < 0.05) 并增加了 HR 变异性的高频功率 (p < 0.05)。坐等长瑜伽增加了 DHEA-S 的血清水平 (p < 0.05)，降低了皮质醇 (p < 0.05) 和 TNF-α (p < 0.05) 的水平，并有降低血清催乳素水平的趋势 (p < 0.1) . 疲劳评分的降低与血浆 TGF-β1 和 BDNF 水平的变化相关。相反，增加的活力与 HVA 呈正相关。结论 单次坐姿等长瑜伽可减少 CFS 患者的疲劳并增加活力。瑜伽还增加了迷走神经功能并改变了血液生物标志物，表明其具有抗压力和抗炎作用。这些变化似乎与坐姿等长瑜伽对 CFS 患者的短期疲劳缓解作用有关。此外，多巴胺能神经系统激活可能解释了坐等长瑜伽引起的该患者群体的能量增加。试用注册 大学医院医疗信息网络 (UMIN CTR) UMIN000009646。2012 年 12 月 27 日注册。