Abstract
BACKGROUND: The impact of combinations of yogic practices on bronchial asthma have been studied. Such yoga modules tend to be too lengthy for comfortable practice long-term, giving high dropouts. Returning to conventional medicine despite improvement is common. This study tested a shorter, easier yoga routine to improve asthma condition. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Sixty young adults aged 18-30 years diagnosed with bronchial asthma of mild to moderate severity were randomly assigned to the Yoga Group, add-on yoga therapy and continuing prescribed medication, or the Control Group, continuing prescribed medication only. Measurements on days 0 and 90, included Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire, Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale, Beck's Depression Inventory and Pulmonary Function Tests. The yoga therapy module, practised 30 mins daily, included four kinds of yoga breathing practices, and ended with guided relaxation. RESULTS: All Asthma Quality of Life subdomains improved greatly for the Yoga Group as did Hamilton Anxiety and Becks Depression Inventory scores, t statistics were high (40 -75), all p<.0001. Pulmonary Function also improved greatly in all variables, with smaller t statistics from 2 to 14. The Control Group showed some small improvements. Differences observed in scores were highly significant, with large effect sizes. Finally, no dropouts occurred. DISCUSSION: Zero dropouts represents an unprecedented result. The yoga module was completely acceptable to participants, Yoga Group improvements were highly significant. The study indicates that the new yoga module effectively improves quality of life, levels of anxiety, depression and pulmonary function in young adults with above-stated bronchial asthma.