CLINICAL-STUDY OF YOGA TECHNIQUES IN UNIVERSITY-STUDENTS WITH ASTHMA - A CONTROLLED-STUDY

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.