Effect of Yoga and Naturopathy in a Patient with Appendicitis: A Case Report.

Appendicitis is the most common condition that affects approximately 233 cases/100 000 people. In general, conventional treatments can often involve invasive procedures, the patients seek alternative therapies for a variety of reasons, such as preserving the anatomical and functional integrity of the body, fear of surgery, financial issues, etc. A 21-year-old female was diagnosed with appendicitis in October 2015 using ultrasonography of the abdomen visited our hospital. She underwent conventional management for pain in a private hospital for 2-days. Then, she was admitted to a yoga and naturopathy hospital with the symptoms of poor appetite, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. The patient received yoga and naturopathy treatments such as warm water enema, cold hip bath, cold abdomen pack, gastro hepatic pack, direct mud application to the abdomen, mud pack to abdomen and eyes, fasting therapy, pranayama and relaxation techniques for 1 week. The patient was advised to undergo ultrasonography of the abdomen after 1 week of treatment. The results showed no sign of appendicitis [i.e., a) no inflammation, b) no dilation of bowel, and c) Bowel movements are seen) compared to the pre-test assessments [i.e., a) evidence of long tubular oedematous, aperistaltic structure with perilesional inflammatory changes, b) Severe probe tenderness, and c) Appendicitis measures 8 mm in size suggestive of acute appendicitis] was noted in the ultrasonography report. In addition, the patient did not report any serious adverse events during the study period. This result suggests that yoga and naturopathy systems of medicine, in addition to conventional pain management during acute (painful) conditions might be useful in cases of appendicitis. However, as the result is based on a single case, further studies with a larger sample size are recommended to warrant the results of this study.

Effect of yoga on cardiovascular functions and psychological aspects of people on public service-related work: an exploratory study.

OBJECTIVES: Yoga is increasingly being introduced in workplace settings to improve health and well-being. However, there is a lack of studies reporting the effect of yoga in people on public service-related work, who are at high risk for various health-related problems. Thus, the objective of this study was to find the effect of yoga on cardiovascular functions and psychological (stress, anxiety, and depression) aspects of people on public service-related work. METHODS: A single-group pre-test and post-test experimental study design was adopted. Eighty-two participants aged 41.52 ± 7.44 years who are working in the Tamil Nadu Public Service Commission were undergone 1-h of yoga (under the supervision of a yoga & naturopathy doctor) a day, 5-days a week for a period of 1-month at their office. Cardiovascular functions such as systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), and pulse rate (PR) were measured using an automatic BP monitor. Psychological variables such as stress, anxiety, and depression were measured using Depression Anxiety and Stress Scales (DASS) before and after the intervention. RESULTS: Results of this study showed a significant reduction in body mass index, SBP, DBP, PR, mean arterial pressure, rate pressure product, and double product. Though results showed insignificant (just missed the statistical significance [p=0.056]) reduction in anxiety, it showed clinical improvement (i.e. the mean anxiety score has reduced from moderate category to mild category). However, there is neither statistically significant nor clinical difference in stress and depression. None of the participants reported any untoward events during the study period. CONCLUSIONS: Results suggest that yoga might improve the cardiovascular functions and anxiety of people in public service-related work. However, no such significant improvement was noted in their stress and depression levels. However, a randomized controlled trial is required to warrant the results of this study.