RESUMO
OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate the use of integrated yoga and naturopathy intervention to modify functional disability and improve independence in patients with spinal cord injury. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this randomized controlled trial, 48 spinal cord injury patients receiving residential rehabilitation, aged between 23 and 57 years (37.9±11.8) of both genders, were randomly allocated to two groups: (i) experimental group (naturopathy and yoga) and (ii) control group (waitlist with routine care). Subjects were assessed on day 1 (baseline), day 30 (intense phase), and day 90 (follow-up). Assessments were done using the Spinal Cord Independence Measure (SCIM), handheld myometry (HHM), time up and go (TUG), Berg Balance Scale (BBS), and 10-meter walk test (10MWT). RESULTS: There were no significant differences at baseline between groups for all the variables (p>0.05) through one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA). Repeated measures ANOVAs (RM-ANOVAs) were performed to compare between assessments and the groups (p<0.05). Post hoc shows that there is significant SCIM (p<0.001), HHM (p<0.001), TUG (p<0.001), BBS (p<0.001), and 10MWT (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: The present study shows that there is significant improvement in the functions of both yoga and naturopathy and the control group. So, yoga and naturopathy can be considered as adjuvant along with routine care of physical therapy in spinal cord injury rehabilitation programs.
RESUMO
Background and purpose Cerebral haemodynamics and cognitive performance may be adversely affected in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Previous studies reported reduced cerebral blood flow (CBF) and altered cerebrovascular reactivity (CVR) in T2DM. Yoga, an ancient holistic health approach, is known to be beneficial for T2DM. We hypothesized that yoga practice may alter CBF and the flow resistance in the middle cerebral artery (MCA) and improve cognition in T2DM. Our secondary objective was to explore the relationship between changes in cerebral haemodynamics and cognition in T2DM. Materials and methods Participants were randomly allotted into the yoga and control groups based on the eligibility criteria. One hour of yoga intervention specific to type 2 diabetes was provided to the yoga group for three months, while conventional treatment was provided to the control group. A transcranial Doppler was used to evaluate longitudinal changes in cerebral haemodynamics in MCA. A Corsi block tapping test was used to assess visio-spatial working memory. Results There were 75 participants recruited, of whom 38 participated in yoga and 37 participated in a control group. Both intention to treat and per protocol analysis showed significant results. At day 90, intention-to-treat analysis showed significant changes in CBF velocities (mean difference -10.85%, 95% CI (-13.26, -6.15), p<0.001), cerebral vasodilatory reserve (mean difference -0.23%, 95% CI (-0.43, -0.03), p=0.02) and cognition (mean difference -12.13%, 95% CI (-17.48, -6.78), p≤0.001). There was no between-group effect. Also, the correlation between the CBF and cognition did not show any significant results. Conclusion The three-month yoga intervention was associated with an improvement in cerebral hemodynamics. The study also revealed an improvement in visio-spatial working memory among patients with T2DM. The study did not show any correlation between the improvement in cerebral haemodynamics and working memory. We recommend larger and longer studies on yoga intervention for T2DM patients to evaluate whether such benefits are sustained and improve their quality of life.
