Background Yoga is a representative mind-body therapy. Our previous studies have demonstrated that isometric yoga (i.e. yoga programs that we developed so individuals can practice yoga poses with a self-adjustable isometric load) reduces the fatigue of patients with myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS); however, the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Several studies have suggested that the micro-ribonucleic acid (miRNA) expression of ME/CFS patients is different from that of healthy subjects. However, it has not to date been determined if the practice of isometric yoga can affect miRNA expression. Therefore, we sought to investigate if isometric yoga is associated with changes in the expression levels of serum miRNA of patients with ME/CFS. Methods The study included nine patients with ME/CFS who failed to show satisfactory improvement after at least 6 months of treatment administered at our hospital. Patients practiced recumbent isometric yoga for 3 months; they met with a yoga instructor every 2 to 4 weeks and participated in daily in-home sessions. The effect of recumbent isometric yoga on fatigue was assessed by comparing pre- and post-intervention scores on the Japanese version of the 11-item Chalder fatigue scale (CFQ 11). Patient blood samples were drawn pre- and post-intervention, just prior to practicing recumbent isometric yoga with an instructor. The serum was used for miRNA array analysis with known human miRNAs. Results The average CFQ 11 score decreased significantly (from 25.3 ± 5.5 to 17.0 ± 5.8, p <  0.0001) after practicing recumbent isometric yoga for 3 months. The miRNA microarray analysis revealed that four miRNAs were significantly upregulated, and 42 were downregulated after the intervention period. Conclusions This explorative pilot study is the first to demonstrate changes in the serum levels of several miRNAs after regular practice of recumbent isometric yoga. These miRNAs might represent biomarkers for the fatigue-relieving effects of isometric yoga of patients with ME/CFS. Trial registration University Hospital Medical Information Network (UMIN CTR) 000023472. Registered Aug 4, 2016.

中文翻译：

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肌痛性脑脊髓炎/慢性疲劳综合征患者卧式等长瑜伽练习后循环 microRNA 的变化：一项探索性试验研究。

背景瑜伽是一种具有代表性的身心疗法。我们之前的研究表明，等长瑜伽（即我们开发的瑜伽计划，使个人可以练习具有自我调节等长负荷的瑜伽姿势）可减轻肌痛性脑脊髓炎/慢性疲劳综合征（ME/CFS）患者的疲劳；然而，潜在的机制仍不清楚。多项研究表明，ME/CFS 患者的微核糖核酸 (miRNA) 表达与健康受试者不同。然而，迄今为止尚未确定等长瑜伽练习是否会影响 miRNA 的表达。因此，我们试图研究等长瑜伽是否与 ME/CFS 患者血清 miRNA 表达水平的变化有关。方法 该研究纳入了 9 名 ME/CFS 患者，这些患者在我院进行至少 6 个月的治疗后仍未显示出令人满意的改善。患者练习卧式等长瑜伽 3 个月；他们每 2 到 4 周会见一位瑜伽教练，并参加每天的家庭课程。通过比较日文版 11 项 Chalder 疲劳量表 (CFQ 11) 的干预前后分数来评估卧式等长瑜伽对疲劳的影响。就在与教练练习卧式等长瑜伽之前，在干预前后抽取患者血液样本。血清用于已知人类 miRNA 的 miRNA 阵列分析。结果平均 CFQ 11 分数显着下降（从 25.3 ± 5.5 到 17.0 ± 5.8，p < 0。0001）在练习卧式等长瑜伽 3 个月后。miRNA微阵列分析显示，4个miRNA显着上调，42个在干预期后下调。结论 这项探索性试验研究首次证明了在定期练习卧式等长瑜伽后，几种 miRNA 的血清水平发生了变化。这些 miRNA 可能代表 ME/CFS 患者等长瑜伽缓解疲劳效果的生物标志物。试用注册大学医院医学信息网（UMIN CTR）000023472。注册于2016年8月4日。结论 这项探索性试验研究首次证明了在定期练习卧式等长瑜伽后，几种 miRNA 的血清水平发生了变化。这些 miRNA 可能代表 ME/CFS 患者等长瑜伽缓解疲劳效果的生物标志物。试用注册大学医院医学信息网（UMIN CTR）000023472。注册于2016年8月4日。结论 这项探索性试验研究首次证明了在定期练习卧式等长瑜伽后，几种 miRNA 的血清水平发生了变化。这些 miRNA 可能代表 ME/CFS 患者等长瑜伽缓解疲劳效果的生物标志物。试用注册大学医院医学信息网（UMIN CTR）000023472。注册于2016年8月4日。