Efficacy of a Structured Yoga Intervention Integrated with Routine Care versus Exercise on Pulmonary Function and Quality of Life of Asthma Patients: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Abstract

Context: Asthma is a chronic disease and its chronicity demands therapy with minimal harm and a good impact on the quality of life of asthmatics.

Objective: This study evaluates the efficacy of structured yoga intervention integrated with routine care on asthma patients in improving their pulmonary function and quality of life.

Design: The study was a single-blind (outcome assessor) hospital-based randomized controlled trial.

Participants: Adults between 18 to 60 years, diagnosed with mild to moderate asthma as per Global Initiative for Asthma guidelines, with no exacerbation in the past month before screening, were included in the study.

Intervention: A thirty-minute structured yoga intervention was delivered daily by a qualified yoga instructor through a virtual platform.

Outcome measures: Questionnaires were utilized to assess the quality of life, and Breath-o-meter equipment was used to measure peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR). It was tested at baseline and then at 15 days, 45 days, and 90 days, whereas the quality of life was evaluated once a month.

Statistical analysis: Intention to treat analysis was performed to compare the mean outcome between the yoga and control groups using an independent sample t test and repeated measures analysis of variance.

Results: The yoga group significantly improved their PEFR and asthma-related quality of life scores compared to the control group (P < .001). A significant difference (F = 539.72, degree of freedom = 1.1618; P < .001) was detected between PEFR values at several time intervals (baseline, day 15, day 45, day 90) in the intervention group on repeated measures analysis of variance. The difference in quality-of-life scores between yoga and control was also statistically significant (P < .001), with an improvement in the quality-of-life domain of external stimuli.

Conclusion: When combined with normal asthma treatment, the findings of this study show that structured yoga intervention integrated with routine care is more beneficial than traditional breathing exercises in increasing PEFR and quality of life.