Efficacy of Standardized Yoga Asanas as Add-on Therapy in the Management of Hypothyroidism: A Randomized, Open-label, Controlled Clinical Study

Abstract

Background: Hypothyroidism is an endocrine disorder in which the thyroid gland does not produce an adequate amount of thyroid hormones. This study aimed to determine the efficacy of yoga asanas as an add-on therapy for the management of hypothyroidism.

Materials and methods: For this interventional clinical study, a total of 450 study participants were screened for eligibility. Out of this, 170 study participants were found fit for preliminary eligibility following stringent inclusion and exclusion criteria. Further, 58 participants were excluded before randomization. A total of 112 hypothyroidism patients (57 in the control group and 55 in the yoga group) participated in this study. The study participants were further followed up for 8 weeks in both the yoga practice (yoga+ standard care of treatment) and control group (standard care of treatment only). The markers of oxidative stress, inflammation, and thyroid hormones were assessed at baseline and after 8 weeks of follow-up/intervention.

Results: After 8 weeks, the study participants in yoga group showed a significant reduction in serum thyroid-stimulating hormone and malondialdehyde levels as compared to baseline (P < 0.05). There was also a positive trend of improvement in other oxidative markers (catalase, superoxide dismutase, and glutathione), and a significant reduction in interleukin-6 levels (P < 0.05) was found in the yoga group as compared to the baseline. However, there was no significant change found in the control group of subjects.

Conclusion: Frequent yoga practice can be an effective lifestyle intervention for hypothyroidism, reducing oxidative stress, inflammation, and potentially improving overall well-being.

Keywords: Add-on therapy; clinical study; hypothyroidism; inflammation; oxidative stress; yoga practice.

Figure 1

Consort diagram of the study group (control group-hypothyroidism patients without yoga practice/study group-hypothyroidism patients with yoga practice)

Figure 2

Comparison of serum thyroid-stimulating hormone, serum free thyroxine, serum free triiodothyronine and body mass index in yoga and control group at baseline and after 8 weeks of yoga practice in patients of hypothyroidism. Paired t-test and Chi-square test were performed between baseline and after 8 weeks of Yoga practice in both the control and yoga group to obtain the P value. P >0.05 (not significant) P < 0.05 (significant). TSH = Thyroid stimulating hormone, fT4 = Free thyroxine, fT3 = Free triiodothyronine, BMI = Body mass index

Figure 3

Comparison of Serum Catalase; superoxide dismutase; glutathione; malondialdehyde and interleukin-6 level in yoga and control group at baseline and after 8 weeks of practice/follow-up in patients of hypothyroidism. Paired t-test was performed between baseline and after 8 weeks of Yoga practice in both the control and yoga group to obtain the P value. P >0.05 (not significant) P < 0.05 (significant). SOD = Superoxide dismutase, GSH = Glutathione, MDA = Malondialdehyde, IL-6 = Interleukin-6