Research Center: University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB), School of Public Health
Location: Webb Nutrition Sciences Building, 1675 University Blvd, Birmingham, AL 35233
Lead Researcher: Dorothy Pekmezi, PhD
IRB: This study has been reviewed and approved by the Lifespan Institutional Review Board

Yoga may have the potential to be useful in the management of Type-2 Diabetes. Yoga is an appealing alternative form of exercise for adults with diabetes as it may spur positive healthy behaviors, attitudes, and coping skills. While yoga is linked to benefits similar to other types of exercise, some studies have shown yoga could be more effective than other exercises at improving a variety of health outcomes including fatigue, flexibility, quality of life, depression, anxiety, and stress.

Researchers are currently exploring the connection between yoga, standard exercise, and diabetes. Yoga has been known to potentially lower stress levels, which means that doing this exercise could potentially prevent the stress-induced rise in cortisol. Cortisol is often associated with a rise in blood sugar levels. This could be beneficial to those who have diabetes. If you have diabetes, consider joining this study!

• Participants will take part in either yoga or standardized exercise at no cost.
• Participants may experience improvements in healthy behaviors, attitudes, and coping skills.
• Participants will be contributing valuable information that may benefit those with Diabetes in the future.
• Participants will be helping to advance medical research.

• If you decide to participate in the study and later feel that you no longer wish to be part of it, you can withdraw at any time.
• Any information that you provide will be kept strictly confidential, except as required by law.
• Qualified health professionals will monitor your health as it relates to the study.

• Men and women aged between 18 and 74 who are diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes
• Must not have participated in yoga, Tai Chi, Qi gong, or other mindfulness-based practice in the past month
• Must not have had a seizure within the last 12 months
• Must not have had any medical conditions that would make it difficult to walk or participate in moderate exercise
• Must be able to attend twice-weekly study visits at the research site over approximately 3 months, some online and some in person
• Must have a computer, laptop or tablet with internet connection

The study team will explain the research in its entirety but some details are:

• The study will provide a supervised 12-week program of twice-weekly yoga or standard exercise for adults with Type-2 Diabetes
• Assessments will be conducted at program entry (baseline), and week 12 (end of treatment)
• Assessments are conducted at the 3 and 6-month post-intervention follow-ups

University of Alabama at Birmingham
Known for its innovative and interdisciplinary approach to education at both the graduate and undergraduate levels, the University of Alabama at Birmingham, a part of the University of Alabama System, is an internationally renowned research university and academic medical center with over $700 million in research awards annually, as well as Alabama’s largest single employer, with nearly 28,000 employees, and has an annual economic impact of $12.1 billion on the state. The pillars of UAB’s mission include education, research, innovation and economic development, community engagement, and patient care. Learn more at www.uab.edu

Please note:
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the researchers would like to assure the participants that ensuring their and the study staff’s safety is of utmost importance.