Pk. Vedanthan et al., CLINICAL-STUDY OF YOGA TECHNIQUES IN UNIVERSITY-STUDENTS WITH ASTHMA - A CONTROLLED-STUDY, ALLERGY AND ASTHMA PROCEEDINGS, 19(1), 1998, pp. 3-9
Adult asthmatics, ranging from 19 to 52 years from an asthma and aller
gy clinic in a university setting volunteered to participate in the st
udy. The 17 students were randomly divided into yoga (9 subjects) and
nonyoga control (8 subjects) groups. The yoga group was taught a set o
f breathing and relaxation techniques including breath slowing exercis
es (pranayama), physical postures (yogasanas), and meditation. Yoga te
chniques were taught at the university health center; three times a we
ek for 16 weeks. All the subjects in both groups maintained daily symp
tom and medication diaries, collected A.M. and P.M. peak flow readings
, and completed weekly questionnaires. Spirometry was performed on eac
h subject every week. Analysis of the data showed that the subjects in
the yoga group reported a significant degree of relaxation, positive
attitude, and better yoga exercise tolerance. There was also a tendenc
y toward lesser usage of beta adrenergic inhalers. The pulmonary funct
ions did not vary significantly between yoga and control groups. Yoga
techniques seem beneficial as an adjunct to the medical management of
asthma.