Effectiveness of Adjuvant Yoga Therapy in Diabetic Lung: A Randomized Control Trial
Recent studies provide ample evidence of the benefits of yoga in various chronic disorders.
Diabetes mellitus is a group of metabolic diseases characterized by chronic hyperglycemia and Sandler coined the term “Diabetic Lung” for the abnormal pulmonary function detected in diabetic patients due underlying pulmonary dysfunction.
It is postulated that Yoga as an adjuvant therapy may help in achieving better pulmonary function along with enhanced glycaemic control and overall health benefits.
The aim of this study was to study the effect of adjuvant yoga therapy in diabetic lung through spirometry.
It was a randomized control trial done as interdisciplinary collaborative work between departments of Yoga Therapy, Pulmonary Medicine and Endocrinology, of MGMC & RI, Sri Balaji Vidyapeeth Puducherry.
72 patients of diabetic lung as confirmed by spirometry (<70% of expected) were randomized into control group (n=36) who received only standard medical treatment and yoga group (n=36) who received yoga training thrice weekly for 4 months along with standard medical management.
Yoga therapy protocol included yogic counseling, preparatory practices, Asanas or static postures, Pranayama or breathing techniques and relaxation techniques.
Hathenas of the Gitananda Yoga tradition were the main practices used.
Spirometry was done at the end of the study period with relevant parameters and data analyzed by Student’s paired and unpaired ‘t’ test as it passed normality.
There was a statistically significant (P < 0.05) reduction in weight, and BMI along with a significant (P < 0.01) improvement in pulmonary function (FEV1, FVC) in yoga group as compared to control group where parameters worsened over study period.
It is concluded from the present RCT that yoga has a definite role as an adjuvant therapy as it enhances standard medical care and hence is even more significant in routine clinical management of diabetes, improving physical condition and pulmonary function.
The full paper by Dr Balaji Rajasekar, Dr Meena Ramanathan, Dr Ananda Balayogi Bhavanani, Dr R Pajanivel and Dr Karthik Balachandran can be accessed at https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6521747/
