EFFECT OF YOGIC PRACTICES ON SELECTED RESPIRATORY PARAMETERS AMONG ASTHMATIC BOYS

*Vijayalalitha Mariaselvam, **Dr. R. Elangovan, *Ph.D Scholar, Faculty of Yoga Sciences and Therapy, Meenakshi Academy of Higher Education and Research (Deemed to be University), No.12, VembuliammanKoil Street, West K.K.Nagar, Chennai-78, Tamil Nadu, India. E-Mail ID: vijush@hotmail.com, **Professor & Head, Faculty of Yoga Sciences and Therapy, Meenakshi Academy of Higher Education and Research (Deemed to be University), No.12, VembuliammanKoil Street, West K.K.Nagar, Chennai-78, Tamil Nadu, India.  E-Mail ID: relangovantnpesu@gmail.com.

ABSTRACT

The purpose of random group experimental study was to find out the effect of Yogic practices on selected Respiratory parameters among asthmatic boys aged between 10 and 17. To achieve the purpose of the study, 45 asthmatic boys were selected randomly by using random sampling method. The subjects were divided into experimental and control group of 15 subjects each. It was hypothesized that there would be significant differences on selected Respiratory parameters such as Peak Flow Expiratory Rate (PEFR) and Forced Vital Capacity (FVC) among asthmatic boys due to the influence of yogic practices. Experimental Group I underwent training with yogic practices and diet modification for 12 weeks, six days a week for maximum of 75 minutes in the morning. The control group was kept in active rest. The pre-test and post test was conducted before and after the training for the two groups on selected dependent variables such as Peak Flow Expiratory Rate (PEFR) and Forced Vital Capacity (FVC). The data collected from the groups before and after the training period were statistically analyzed by using Analysis of Co-Variance (ANCOVA) to determine the significant differences and tested at 0.05 level of confidence. The results of the study showed significant difference on selected respiratory parameters such as Peak Flow Expiratory Rate (PEFR) (Increased) and Forced Vital Capacity (FVC) (Increased) among asthmatic boys due to Yogic practices than the control group. Hence the hypothesis was accepted at 0.05 level of confidence. It is concluded that the Yogic practices are beneficial to asthmatic boys to increase the Peak Flow Expiratory Rate (PEFR) and Forced Vital Capacity (FVC).

KEYWORDS: Yoga, Asthma, Peak Flow Expiratory Rate (PEFR) and Forced Vital Capacity (FVC)

 

INTRODUCTION

Asthma (AZ-ma) is a chronic (long-term) lung disease that inflames and narrows the airways. Asthma is characterized as recurrent attacks of breathlessness and wheezing, Varies in severity and frequency from person to person. It is due to inflammation of the air passages in the lungs and affects the sensitivity of the nerve endings in the airways, so they become easily irritated. Asthma is characterized as recurrent attacks of breathlessness and wheezing, Varies in severity and frequency from person to person. Basic cause of Asthma is Inflammation, Contraction of Breathing Tubes and Overproduction of mucus.

Healthy life style with Yoga practices will be a great relief as well as managing asthma for the asthmatic adult women and means to promote the positive health as it helps in relieving stress as well as brings about the required physical, emotional and mental balance.

OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDY

The Objective of the study was to find whether there would be any significant difference on selected respiratory parameters such as Peak Expiratory Flow Rate (PEFR) and Forced vital capacity (FVC) due to yogic practices among asthmatic boys.

 

 

PURPOSE OF THE STUDY

 The purpose of the study is to find the effect of yogic practices on selected respiratory parameters among asthmatic boys.

HYPOTHESIS

It was hypothesized that there would be significant differences on selected respiratory parameters  such as Peak Flow Expiratory Rate (PEFR) and Forced Vital Capacity (FVC) due to Yogic Practices among asthmatic boys than the control group.

DELIMITATIONS

• The study was confined to asthmatic boys only.
• The age of the subjects was between 10 and 17 years only.
• The subjects were selected from Chennai city only.
• The study was confined to yogic practices as independent variable only
• The dependent variables confines for the study are Peak Flow Expiratory Rate (PEFR) and Forced Vital Capacity (FVC) only

LIMITATIONS

• Various social, cultural and economic differences among the subjects were not considered.
• Influence of heredity and environmental factors were not taken in to account.
• The subjects’ living conditions, life style, personal habits and family were not taken into consideration.
• The subjects’ routine activities were considered as limitations of the study.
• Diet and Medication followed by subjects was not controlled

REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE

Sodhi Singh, Dandona. (2009) conducted a study to test the efficacy of yoga training on pulmonary functions in patients with bronchial asthma. The role of yoga breathing exercises, as an adjunct treatment for bronchial asthma is well recognized. One hundred twenty patients of asthma were randomized into two groups i.e. Group A (yoga training group) and Group B (control group). Each group included sixty patients. Pulmonary function tests were performed on all the patients at baseline, after 4 weeks and then after 8 weeks. Majority of the subjects in the two groups had mild disease (34 patients in Group A and 32 in Group B). Group A subjects showed a statistically significant increasing trend (P < 0.01) in % predicted peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR), forced expiratory volume in the first second (FEV1), forced vital capacity (FVC), forced mid expiratory flow in 0.25-0.75 seconds (FEF25-75) and FEV1/FVC% ratio at 4 weeks and 8 weeks as compared to Group B. Thus, yoga breathing exercises used adjunctively with standard pharmacological treatment significantly improves pulmonary functions in patients with bronchial asthma

Rao YC et.al., (2014) conducted a study to test the efficacy of a one month in-patient naturopathy and yoga programme for patients with asthma. Retrospective data of 159 bronchial asthma patients, undergoing the naturopathy and yoga programme, was analyzed for Forced Vital Capacity, Forced Expiratory Volume at the end of 1 second, Maximum Voluntary Ventilation and Peak Expiratory Flow Rate on admission, 11th day, on discharge and once in three months for three years. The paired sample t test results showed significant increase in the Forced Vital Capacity and Forced Expiratory Volume from the date of admission up to 6th month (P < 0.0035) post Bonferroni correction. Maximum Voluntary Ventilation significantly increased from admission till the date of discharge (P < 0.0035) and Peak Expiratory Flow Rate significantly increased from admission till the 36th month of follow-up (P < 0.0035), post Bonferroni correction. This validated the beneficial effect of combining naturopathy and yoga for the management of bronchial asthma

METHODOLOGY

The purpose of random group experimental study was to find out the effect of Yogic practices on selected Respiratory parameters among asthmatic boys. To achieve the purpose of the study, 90 came forward, 60 were screened and 45 asthmatic boys aged between 10 and 17 were selected randomly using random sampling method. The subjects were divided into experimental and control group of 15 subjects each. It was hypothesized that there would be significant differences on Respiratory parameters such as Peak Flow Expiratory Rate (PEFR) and Forced Vital Capacity (FVC) among asthmatic boys due to the influences of yogic practices. Experimental Group I was given yogic practices for 12 weeks, six days a week for maximum of 75 minutes in the morning. The Yogic Practices given to the experimental group include Cleansing Techniques, Asana, Surya Namaskar, Pranayama and Yoga Nidra. Cleansing Techniques given were Kunjal Kriya, Neti, Laghoo Shankaprakshalana.The data collected from the groups before and after the training period were statistically analyzed by using Analysis of Co-Variance (ANCOVA) to determine the significant difference and tested at 0.05 level of confidence.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS

The data pertaining to the variables collected from two groups before and after the training period were statistically analysed by using Analysis of Co-Variance (ANCOVA) to determine the significant difference and tested at 0.05 level of significance. The analysis of Covariance (ANCOVA) on Peak Flow Expiratory Rate (PEFR) of yogic practices on and control group was analysed and presented in table I

TABLE I

COMPUTATION OF MEAN AND ANALYSIS OF CO-VARIANCE OF PEFR OF EXPERIMENTAL AND CONTROL GROUP (Scores in Litres)

* Significant at 0.05 level of confidence. (Table F ratio at 0.05 level, of confidence for df 1 and 28= 4.2, 1 and 27= 4.21)

The obtained F value at 51.63 was greater than the required F value of 4.02. This proved that there were significant differences among the mean values of the respiratory parameters Peak Expiratory Flow Rate due to eight weeks of yogic practices. The pre test scores analysis proved that there was no significant difference between the groups, as the obtained F value of 1.56 was lesser than the required F value of 4.02. The post test score analysis proved that there was significant improvement between the groups, as the obtained F value 4.47 was greater than the required F value 4.02. This proved that there was significant difference on Peak Expiratory Rate among asthmatic boys between Experimental Group and Control Group after undergoing eight weeks of yogic practices by Experimental Group in line with Sodhi Singh, Dandona. (2009)

The ordered adjusted means on Peak Expiratory Rate was presented through bar diagram for better understanding of the results of this study in Figure - 1.

Figure-1

BAR DIAGRAM SHOWING THE MEAN DIFFERENCES AMONG THE GROUPS ON PEAK EXPIRATORY RATE (Scores in Litres)

* Significant at 0.05 level of confidence. (Table F ratio at 0.05 level, of confidence for df 1 and 28= 4.2, 1 and 27= 4.21)

 

RESULTS OF FORCED VITAL CAPACITY (FVC)

The data pertaining to the variables collected from two groups before and after the training period were statistically analysed by using Analysis of Co-Variance (ANCOVA) to determine the significant difference and tested at 0.05 level of significance. The analysis of Covariance (ANCOVA) on Forced Vital Capacity (FVC)) of yogic practices on and control group was analysed and presented in table 1

 

 

TABLE II

COMPUTATION OF MEAN AND ANALYSIS OF CO-VARIANCE OF FVC OF EXPERIMENTAL AND CONTROL GROUP (Scores in Litres)

Test	Experimental Group	Control Group	Source of Variance	Sum of Squares	df	Mean Sum of  Squares	F Ratio
Pre test	3.49	3.45	Between	0.01	1	0.01	0.02
			Within	17.92	28	0.64
Post test	3.94	3.38	Between	2.41	1	2.41	4.43*
			Within	15.22	28	0.54
Adjusted	3.92	3.40	Between	2.08	1	2.08	80.32*
			Within	0.70	27	0.03

 

      

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

* Significant at 0.05 level of confidence. (Table F ratio at 0.05 level of confidence for df 1 and 28 = 4.20, 2 and 27= 4.02).

The obtained F value at 80.32 was greater than the required F value of 4.02. This proved that there were significant differences among the mean values of the respiratory parameters Forced Vital Capacity due to eight weeks of yogic practices. The obtained adjusted mean values are presented through bar diagram below. The pre test scores analysis proved that there was no significant difference between the groups, as the obtained F value of 0.02 was lesser than the required F value of 4.02. The post test score analysis proved that there was significant improvement between the groups, as the obtained F value 4.43 was greater than the required F value 4.02. This proved that there was significant difference on Forced Vital Capacity among asthmatic boys between Experimental Group and Control Group after undergoing eight weeks of yogic practices by Experimental Group in line with Rao YC et.al., (2014)

The ordered adjusted means on Forced Vital Capacity was presented through bar diagram for better understanding of the results of this study in Figure - 2.

 

Figure-2

BAR DIAGRAM SHOWING THE MEAN DIFFERENCES AMONG THE GROUPS ON FORCED VITAL CAPACITY (Scores in Litres)

* Significant at 0.05 level of confidence. (Table F ratio at 0.05 level of confidence for df 1 and 28 = 4.20, 2  and 27= 4.02).

 

DISCUSSION ON HYPOTHESIS

It was hypothesized that there would be significant differences on selected respiratory parameters such as Peak Expiratory Flow Rate and Forced Vital Capacity due to yogic practices among asthmatic boys than the control group. The results proved that there were significant differences on Peak Expiratory Flow Rate (Increased) and Forced Vital Capacity (Increased) due to yogic practices than the control group among asthmatic boys. Hence the hypothesis is accepted at 0.05 level of confidence.

CONCLUSION

It was concluded that yogic practices Increased Peak Expiratory Flow Rate and Forced Vital Capacity significantly among asthmatic boys. Hence, yogic practices are beneficial to asthmatic boys to maintain healthy Peak Expiratory Flow Rate and Forced Vital Capacity.

REFERENCES:

1. Sodhi, C., Singh, S., & Dandona, P. K. (2009). A study of the effect of yoga training on pulmonary functions in patients with bronchial asthma. Indian journal of physiology and pharmacology, 53(2), 169–174.
2. Rao, Y. C., Kadam, A., Jagannathan, A., Babina, N., Rao, R., & Nagendra, H. R. (2014). Efficacy of naturopathy and yoga in bronchial asthma. Indian journal of physiology and pharmacology, 58(3), 233–239.