YOGA BASED PULMONARY REHABILITATION IN THE MANAGEMENT OF CHRONIC OBSTRUCTIVE PULMONARY DISEASE IN COAL MINERS

Abstract

Consistent and predominantly significant association between occupational exposures and newlinechronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is well established. Coal mine dust exposure can newlinecause chronic airflow limitation in coal miners resulting in COPD. Most patients with COPD newlinehave impaired pulmonary function, higher levels of anxiety and depression, poor quality of life, newlineinsomnia, and chronic pain to a greater extent than the general population. Yoga is extensively newlineused as a lifestyle strategy for both prevention and management of many psycho-somatic newlinedisorders. It have been reported that yoga helps in improving pulmonary and autonomic newlinefunctions, diminishing depression and anxiety associated with other chronic diseases, but in newlineCOPD has not been fully investigated. Investigation of yoga based pulmonary rehabilitation in newlinethe management of COPD in coal miners is needed.This study aimed to evaluate the role of Integrated Approach of Yoga Therapy (IAYT) on newlinerespiratory, autonomic, physical and psychological parameters as well as health status of the coal newlineminers with COPD.Present study is a randomized, waitlist-controlled, single-blind clinical trial with two study arms; newlineyoga and wait list control, conducted on coal miners of Rampur colliery, Brajraj Nagar, India.A sample of 81 coal miners (36 - 60 years) with physician confirmed stable COPD (Stage II and newlineIII) were randomized into two groups. Both groups were either on conventional treatment newline(control group) or combination of conventional care with integrated yoga program (yoga group). newlineYoga session was of 90 minutes that included asanas, pranayamas, breathing exercises, newlinerelaxation techniques and meditation six days a week for 12 weeks. Control group was waitlisted newlinefor yoga and given the same practices after 12 weeks if they subsequently wished to newlineparticipate.Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 18.0. After ascertaining the normality of newlinedata, paired t-tests were used to determine significance of variable differences before and after newlinethe intervention.