EFFECT OF YOGIC PRACTICES ON DIASTOLIC BLOOD PRESSURE AND SELF-CONFIDENCE AMONG MIDDLE AGED HYPERTENSIVE WOMEN

 

* D.Brindha, ** 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, Vembuliamman Koil Street, West K.K.Nagar, Chennai-78, Tamil Nadu, India., **Professor & Head, Faculty of Yoga Sciences and Therapy, Meenakshi Academy of Higher Education and Research (Deemed to be University), No.12, Vembuliamman Koil Street, West K.K.Nagar, Chennai-78, Tamil Nadu, India. E-Mail ID: relangovantnpesu@gmail.com.

ABSTRACT

The present random group experimental study was designed to find out the effect of yogic practices on diastolic blood pressure and self-confidence among middle aged hypertensive women. To achieve the purpose of the study, 30 middle aged hypertensive women from Chennai city aged between 40 years and 50 years were selected randomly using random group sampling method and were divided into two groups, i.e Experimental group I and control group II of 15 subjects each. It was hypothesized that there would be significant differences due to yogic practices among middle aged hypertensive women on selected dependent variables such as diastolic blood pressure and self-confidence than the control group. Preliminary test was conducted on selected dependent variable before the start of the training program. Experimental group I underwent yogic practices for 12 weeks, five days a week for a maximum of one hour in the morning. The control group was kept in active rest. Post test was conducted after the training period for the two groups on the same dependent variables such as Diastolic blood pressure and self-confidence. The data collected from the groups was statistically analyzed by using Analysis of Co-variance (ANCOVA) to determine the significant differences. Test of significance was fixed at 0.05 level of confidence. The results of the study showed that the experimental group showed significant differences on selected physiological and psychological variables such as diastolic blood pressure and self-confidence than the control group due to yogic practices. Hence the hypothesis was accepted at 0.05 level of confidence. It is hence concluded that the yogic practices are beneficial to middle aged hypertensive women to maintain healthy diastolic blood pressure and to improve the self-confidence.

 

KEY WORDS: Yogic Practices, Hypertension, Diastolic Blood Pressure and Self-confidence.

 

INTRODUCTION

The number of people who suffer from Hypertension is growing rapid now-a -days. It is the main cause of cardiovascular diseases and remains the top cause of global mortality. It is estimated that 1.13 billion people worldwide have hypertension. (World Health Organisation 2019)

Women particularly in the middle age suffer from hypertension due to various reasons such as family Obesity, stress, migraine attacks during second half of menstrual cycle, continuous work tensions, food habits, lifestyle etc. For middle-aged women who are dealing with menopausal transition, hormonal changes often cause or contribute to Hypertension (Jeannette Y. Wick 2020)

Yoga is an alternative healthcare practice to improve blood pressure control. Yoga techniques improve physical and mental health by regulating the Sympathetic Nervous System. Yoga has proven effective in managing secondary cardiac complications due to chronic hypertension.

OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDY

The objective of the study was to find out whether there would be any significant difference on selected Physiological and Psychological variables such as Diastolic Blood Pressure and self-confidence among middle aged hypertensive women.

PURPOSE OF THE STUDY

The purpose of the study was to find out the effect of yogic practices on diastolic blood pressure and self-confidence among middle aged hypertensive women.

HYPOTHESIS

It was hypothesized that there would be significant differences due to yogic practices on selected Physiological and Psychological variables such as Diastolic Blood Pressure and self-confidence among middle aged hypertensive women than the control group.

DELIMITATIONS

• The study was confined to middle aged hypertensive women from Chennai City, India only.
• The age of the subject was ranged from 40 to 50 years only.
• The study was confined to yogic practices as independent variable only
• The study was confined to Diastolic Blood Pressure and self-confidence as dependent variables only.

LIMITATIONS

• The Factors like Socio-Economical status were not taken into consideration.
• The climatic conditions were not considered.
• Factors like Life style habits were not taken into consideration.
• Subjects’ day to day activities were not taken into account.
• Diet and Medication followed by subjects was not controlled.

REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE

Indla Devasena and Pandurang Narhare (2011) studied the effect of yoga on heart rate and blood pressure and its clinical significance the cardiovascular morbidity is increasing in India in recent years. The present study was done to know the effect of yoga on heart rate and blood pressure in healthy volunteers above the age of 40 years. The cardiovascular status of the subjects was assessed clinically in terms of resting heart rate and blood pressure before the start of yoga practice and again after 6 months of yoga practice. The results were compared and analysed with respect to age, sex and body mass index. From the study it was observed that significant reduction in the heart rate occurs in the subjects practicing yoga (P < 0.001). The systolic blood pressure was lowered to a highly significant level (P < 0.001). The diastolic blood pressure was reduced significantly (P < 0.001). This shows that the yoga provides significant improvement in ageing to reduce the morbidity and mortality from cardiovascular diseases.

Andreas Michalsen., et.al., (2012) studied on the effects of Yoga on Mental and Physical Health. This report summarizes the current evidence on the effects of yoga interventions on various components of mental and physical health, by focussing on the evidence described in review articles. Collectively, these reviews suggest a number of areas where yoga may well be beneficial, but more research is required for virtually all of them to firmly establish such benefits. The heterogeneity among interventions and conditions studied has hampered the use of meta-analysis as an appropriate tool for summarizing the current literature. Nevertheless, there are some meta-analyses which indicate beneficial effects of yoga interventions, and there are several randomized clinical trials (RCT’s) of relatively high quality indicating beneficial effects of yoga for pain-associated disability and mental health. Yoga may well be effective as a supportive adjunct to mitigate some medical conditions, but not yet a proven stand-alone, curative treatment. Larger-scale and more rigorous research with higher methodological quality and adequate control interventions is highly encouraged because yoga may have potential to be implemented as a beneficial supportive/adjunct treatment that is relatively cost-effective, may be practiced at least in part as a self-care behavioral treatment, provides a life-long behavioural skill, enhances self-efficacy and self-confidence and is often associated with additional positive side effects.

METHODOLOGY

To achieve the purpose of the random group experimental study, 70 middle age hypertensive women came forward, 45 were screened and 30 subjects were selected at random from Chennai city. The age of the subjects ranged between 40 and 50 years. The subjects were assigned into one experimental group and one control group with 15 subjects each. The pre-test was taken from the subjects before the commencement of the training.

Experimental group was involved in yogic practices for 12 weeks, and the control group kept in active rest. Yogic practices such as Loosening the Joints, Surya Namaskar followed by Asanas such as Tadasana, Katichakrasana, Hastottanasana, Vajrasana, Ustrasana, Gomukhasana, Shashangasana,Vakrasana, Bhujangasana, Makarasana, Savasana and Pranayama practices such as Nadishodana Pranyama, Brahmari Pranayama followed by OM meditation.

After 12 weeks, the two groups were retested again on the same selected dependent variables such as Diastolic Blood Pressure and self-confidence and scores were statistically measured using Analysis of Co-Variance (ANCOVA) to find out the significant differences between the two groups. The test of significance was fixed at 0.05 level of confidence.

 

RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS

The data pertaining to the variables collected from the 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 confidence. These are shown in the tables below

TABLE I

analysis of co-variance of the means of yogic practices group and control group on diastolic blood pressure (scores in mm hg)

Test	YOGIC PRACTICES GROUP	CONTROL GROUP	SV	SS	df	MS	Obtained F Ratio
Pre test	85.73	84.6	between	9.633	2	9.63	0.26
			within	1050.53	28	37.52
Post test	79.4	86.73	between	403.333	2	201.67	6.98*
			within	808.533	28	28.88
Adjusted Post test	78.98	87.149	between	495.473	2	247.74	27.56*
			within	242.686	27	8.99

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

 

The obtained F ratio on pre-test scores 0.26 at 0.05 level of confidence. This proved that there was no significant difference between the groups on diastolic blood pressure in pre-test and the randomization at the pre-test was equal. The post test and adjusted post test scores analysis proved that there was significant difference between the groups on diastolic blood pressure, as obtained F values 6.98 and 27.56 were greater than the required F value of 4.2 and 4.21 respectively ) in line with the study conducted by Andreas Michalsen., et al. (2012)The pre- test, post- test and adjusted post –test mean values of Yogic Practices group and the Control Group on diastolic blood pressure were graphically presented in Figure 1.

 

Figure – 1

MEAN SCORES OF PRE, POST TESTS AND ADJUSTED POST TEST OF YOGIC PRACTICES GROUP AND CONTROL

GROUP ON DIASTOLIC BLOOD PRESSURE (Scores in mmHg)

 

*Significant at 0.05 level of confidence. (Table F ratio at 0.05 level of confidence for

1 and 28 (df) =4.2, 1 and 27(df) =4.21.

 

The Analysis of Co-variance (ANCOVA) on Self-confidence of Yogic Practices Group and Control Group was analysed and presented in Table II

 

Table II

analysis of co-variance (ANCOVA) of the means of yogic practices group and control group on self – confidence (scores in marks, Lower scores show significant improvement)

Test	YOGIC PRACTICES GROUP	CONTROL GROUP	SV	SS	df	MS	F
Pre test	30.33	27.13	between	76.8	2	76.80	1.74
			within	1235.067	28	44.11
Post test	21.13	28.47	between	403.33	2	201.67	6.63*
			within	851.47	28	30.41
Adjusted	19.946	29.653	between	665.416	2	332.71	52.38*
			within	171.512	27	6.35

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

 

The obtained F ratio on pre-test scores 1.74 was lesser than the required F value of 4.2 to be significant at 0.05 level of confidence. This proved that there was no significant difference between the groups on self-confidence in pre-test and the randomization at the pre-test was equal. The post test and adjusted post test scores analysis proved that there was significant difference between the groups on self-confidence, as obtained F values 6.63 and 52.38 were greater than the required F value of 4.2 and 4.21 respectively in line with the study conducted by Andreas Michalsen., et al. (2012). Lower the score is higher self-confidence as per the questionnaire.

 

The pre- test, post- test and adjusted post -test mean values of Yogic Practices group and the Control Group on self-confidence were graphically presented in Figure 2.

 

Figure-2

bar diagram showing the mean difference among yogic practices group and control group on self-confidence (Scores in Marks)

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

 

The above findings can also be substantiated by the observations made by renowned experts such as substantiated by Andreas Michalsen., et al. (2012)

The results of the study showed that Yogic Practices group significantly improved Self-confidence than the Control Group. Hence, the hypothesis was accepted at 0.05 level of confidence.

 

DISCUSSION ON HYPOTHESIS

It was hypothesized that there would be significant differences on selected Physiological and Psychological variables such as Diastolic Blood Pressure and self-confidence due to yogic practices among Hypertensive middle aged women than the control group. The results proved that there were significant differences on Diastolic Blood Pressure (Decreased) and self-confidence (Improved) due to yogic practices than the control group among Hypertensive middle aged women. Hence, the hypothesis was accepted at 0.05 level of confidence.

CONCLUSION

It was concluded that yogic practices decreased Diastolic Blood Pressure and improved self-confidence significantly among Hypertensive middle aged women. Hence, yogic practices are beneficial to Hypertensive middle aged women to maintain healthy Diastolic Blood Pressure and to improve self-confidence.

REFERENCES

Indla Devasena and Pandurang Narhare (2011) “Effect of yoga on heart rate and blood pressure and its clinical significance” International Journal of Biological and Medical Research 2(3): 750-753.

Andreas Michalsen., et al. (2012) “Effects of Yoga on Mental and Physical Health” Hindawi Publishing Corporation doi:10.1155/2012/165410

 

Jeannette Y. Wick (2020) “ Middle-Aged Women Often Develop Hypertension” Pharmacy Times doi 2020-07-02