Evaluating the effect of Yoga in Management of Asthma: A Single Blind Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background:

Asthma is one of the common non-communicable diseases (NCDs). It affects around 339 million people in all regions of the world. It is a cause of substantial burden of disease, including both premature death and reduced quality of life, in people of all ages in all parts of the world.Asthma’s principal symptoms result primarily from bronchoconstriction and a resulting reduction in airflow. These symptoms include shortness of breath, cough, wheezing, and chest pain or tightness. The associated reduction in airflow is usually reversible spontaneously or with treatment.

Material and methods:

A Randomized controlled trial will be conducted on 200 asthmatic patients. The subjects will be recruited from out-patient department of Pulmonary Medicine, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Rishikesh. Patients will be allocated to two groups: group A (Intervention group) and group B (control group). Patients in group A will be treated with pre-designed yogic practices along with conventional medical therapy for 30 minutes every day for a period of 3 months. Group B will be treated with conventional medication and joints loosening exercises for 30 minutes every day for a period of 3 months. Subjective assessment, spirometry indices including Forced Expiratory Volume in first second (FEV1%), Peak Expiratory Flow Rate (PEFR) and quality of life will be done every month in both the groups uptill 6 months from baseline.

Statistical analysis:

Statistical methods used to compare group outcomes will be T test, repeated measures ANOVA and Chi Square using intention to treat analysis method. A p value of <0.05 would be considered significant.