Duterte critic Leila de Lima granted bail after six years in jail
Former senator Leila de Lima has long fought what she describes as trumped up drug charges.
2023-11-13 15:52
Thai PM Srettha Defends Debt Plan for $14 Billion Cash Handout
Thailand’s Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin defended a controversial plan to borrow billions of dollars to fund a cash
2023-11-13 15:25
Cyber ‘Catastrophe Bonds’ Move Step Closer to Hitting Public Debt Markets
Cyber catastrophe bonds may be about to move out of the shadows of private deal-making and into the
2023-11-13 15:25
US Republican Senator Tim Scott pulls out of presidential campaign
The Republicans' only black senator has been trailing far behind Donald Trump in polls.
2023-11-13 15:16
Renault Casts Fledgling EV Business as Europe’s Answer to Tesla
After clearing up record losses and a toxic partnership, Renault SA Chief Executive Officer Luca de Meo is
2023-11-13 13:16
Yoga may reduce seizure frequency in epilepsy patients, scientists claim
Doing yoga may help reduce frequency of seizures in people with epilepsy and lower their anxiety, a new study found. The practice may also improve patients’ overall quality of life by reducing the stigma they feel from having the disease, according to the research, published last week in the medical journal Neurology. “People with epilepsy often face stigma that can cause them to feel different than others due to their own health condition and that can have a significant impact on their quality of life,” study author Manjari Tripathi from All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in New Delhi said. “This stigma can affect a person’s life in many ways including treatment, emergency department visits and poor mental health,” Dr Tripathi explained. In the study, researchers assessed people with epilepsy with an average age of 30 in India. They measured stigma among participants based on their answers to questions such as: “Do you feel other people discriminate against you?” “Do you feel you cannot contribute anything in society?” and “Do you feel different from other people?” About 160 people who met the criteria for experiencing stigma were then identified. These patients had an average of one seizure per week and on average took at least two anti-seizure medications, researchers said. One set of patients were then randomly assigned to receive yoga therapy, which included exercises in loosening muscles, breathing, meditation and positive affirmations. Another set of patients received a sham therapy that mimicked the same exercises, but these participants were not given instructions on two key components of yoga – slow and synchronized breathing, and attention to the body movements and sensations. Both the groups received seven supervised group sessions of 45 to 60 minutes over three months. They were also asked to practice sessions at home at least five times a week for 30 minutes and track their seizures and yoga sessions in a journal. Participants were then followed for an additional three months after their first three months of therapy. People who did yoga were more than four times as likely to have their seizure frequency more than halved after six months than the people who did sham yoga, the study found. Compared to those who did the sham practice, participants who did yoga were more likely to reduce their perceived stigma of the disease, researchers say. People who did yoga were also over seven times more likely to no longer have seizures than those who did the sham practice, according to the study. Researchers also reported a significant decrease in anxiety symptoms among those who did yoga versus people who did not. “The intervention group showed significant improvement in symptoms of anxiety, cognitive impairment, mindfulness and quality of life relative to the control group at the end of follow-up period,” researchers wrote. “Yoga may not only help reduce stigma, but also improve quality of life and mindfulness. Plus, yoga can be easily prerecorded and shared with patients online using minimal resources and costs,” Dr Tripathi said. Citing the main limitation of the study, researchers said the participants self-reported their seizure frequency and they may not have remembered all the information accurately. However, they say the findings “elevate the need to consider alternative therapies and activities for people with epilepsy facing stigma”. Read More Jonnie Irwin says he ‘never thought’ he’d be alive to see his 50th birthday Billy Connolly shares health update on Parkinson’s disease: ‘Every day gets stranger’ What are the symptoms of Parkinson's disease and how can it be treated? Jonnie Irwin says he ‘never thought’ he’d be alive to see his 50th birthday Billy Connolly shares health update on Parkinson’s disease: ‘Every day gets stranger’ What are the symptoms of Parkinson's disease and how can it be treated?
2023-11-13 12:55
Senator Tim Scott Drops Out of Republican Presidential Race
South Carolina Senator Tim Scott is ending his presidential campaign, a long-shot bid to offer an alternative to
2023-11-13 12:16
US Strikes at Iran-Linked Targets in Syria, Casualties Likely
The US struck facilities in eastern Syria used by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and affiliated groups on
2023-11-13 12:15
DP World: Australia ports remain closed after cyber-attack
Operations at DP World sites in Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane and Perth have been suspended since Friday.
2023-11-13 11:55
Alibaba, JD Fail to Inspire in Discount-Led China Shopping Gala
Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. and JD.com Inc. reported sales increases during China’s most important shopping festival, yet likely
2023-11-13 10:59
Sri Lanka to Use Budget to Meet Some IMF Pledges as Polls Near
Sri Lanka is likely to raise taxes and curb spending in its annual budget to meet the International
2023-11-13 10:52
China Weighs Ending Freeze on Boeing With 737 Max Deal in US
Boeing Co. may finally see a sales breakthrough for its 737 Max aircraft in China when presidents Joe
2023-11-13 09:47