EFFECT OF YOGIC PRACTICES WITH AND WITHOUT DIET MODIFICATIONS ON SELECTED PSYCHOLOGICAL VARIABLES AMONG COLLEGE GIRLS SUFFERING WITH IRREGULAR MENSTRUATION

 

* K.Geetha, ** 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 with and without Diet modifications on selected Psychological variables among college girls suffering with irregular menstruation. To achieve the purpose of the study, 45 college girls suffering with irregular menstruation problems from sembakkam, Chennai city were selected randomly by using random sampling method aged between 18 and 21 years. The subjects were divided into experimental group A, experimental group B and Control group C of 15 subjects each. It was hypothesized that there would be significant differences in Psychological variables such as Anxiety and Attitude Stress among college girls suffering with irregular menstruation due to yogic practices with and without diet modification than the Control Group. Experimental Group A underwent training for 12 weeks, six days a week for a maximum of one hour in the morning and suggested with diet chart. Experimental Group B underwent training for 12 weeks, six days a week for a maximum of one hour in the morning without diet suggestions. The control group was kept in active rest. The pre-test and post-test was conducted before and after the training for all three groups and the scores on Anxiety and Attitude Stress were measured. The data collected from the three groups were statistically analysed by using Analysis of Co-Variance (ANCOVA) to determine the significant differences and tested at 0.05 level of significance. The result of the study showed that the Anxiety and Attitude Stress were significantly reduced as result of Yogic practices and diet modification in Group A and Similarly in Group B as result of Yogic practices alone. Hence the hypothesis was accepted at 0.05 level of confidence. The conclusion was that the Yogic practices and diet modification helped to reduce Anxiety and Attitude Stress among college girls suffering with irregular menstruation.

 

KEY WORDS: Yoga, Diet, Irregular menstruation, Anxiety and Attitude Stress

 

INTRODUCTION

In the present scenario nearly 30 to 40% of Girls suffer with irregular menstruation. Hence fertility among females has become a rare phenomenon. It is mainly inculcated due to poor dietary habits, and lifestyle adapted among the young generation. Irregular menstruation leads to so many health risks such as overweight, blood pressure and Type 2 diabetics in addition to infertility.

 

Yoga as a Way of Life is the boon given by our ancestors to solve not only irregular menstruation but also all other diseases. Yogic life leads us to well-being smoothly and peacefully.

 

OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY

The objective of the study was to find out whether there would be any significant difference on selected Psychological variables due to yogic practices with and without diet modifications among college girls with irregular menstruation.

PURPOSE OF THE STUDY

The Purpose of the study was to find out whether there would be any significant difference on selected Psychological variables such as Anxiety and Attitude Stress due to yogic practices with and without diet modifications among college girls with irregular menstruation.

 

HYPOTHESIS

1. It was hypothesized that there would be significant differences due to yogic practices with and without diet modifications (group A and group B) than the control group (group C) on selected Psychological variables such as Anxiety and Attitude Stress among college girls suffering with irregular menstruation.
2. It was hypothesized that there would be significant differences between the Yogic practices with diet modifications group (Group A) and Yogic practices without diet modifications group (group B) on selected Psychological variables such as Anxiety and Attitude Stress among college girls suffering with irregular menstruation.

DELIMITATIONS

• The study was confined to college girls suffering with irregular menstruation from Chennai City, India only.
• The age of the subject was ranged from 18years to 21 years only.
• The study was confined to yogic practices and diet modification as independent variables only
• The study was confined to Anxiety and Attitude Stress 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.
• Medication followed by subjects was not controlled.
• Instructions were only given for Diet modification group. Personal verification was not done.

REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE

 

Nidhi R, and et.al., (2012) studied the Yoga techniques practiced for varying durations have been shown to reduce state anxiety. This was never assessed in adolescents with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) to compare the effect of a holistic yoga program with the conventional exercise program on anxiety level in adolescents with PCOS.  Ninety adolescent (15-18 years) girls from a residential college in Andhra Pradesh, who satisfied the Rotterdam criteria, were randomized into two groups.  Anxiety levels were assessed at inclusion and after 12 weeks of intervention wherein yoga group practiced a holistic yoga module while the control group practiced a matching set of physical exercises (1 h/day, for 12 weeks).Concluded that the  twelve weeks of a holistic yoga program in adolescents with PCOS is significantly better than physical exercise program in reducing anxiety symptoms.

 

Rani K, and et.al., (2012) studied Yoga Nidra as a complementary treatment of anxiety and depressive symptoms in patients with menstrual disorder. Emotional insecurity, stress, depressive or/and anxiety symptoms are common with variable severity among patients with menstrual disorder. Yogic relaxation therapy (Yoga Nidra) leads to conscious and subconscious recognition of these underlying psychological factors and helps releasing of suppressed conflicts. Subjects were recruited from the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, C.S.M. Medical University (erstwhile KGMU), Lucknow Uttar Pradesh, India. The patients with mild to moderate anxiety and depressive symptoms improve significantly with 'Yoga Nidra' intervention. There is no significant improvement in the patients with severe anxiety and depressive symptoms.

 

METHODOLOGY

To fulfil the goal of the random group experimental study, 90 college girls suffering with irregular menstruation problems came forward from sembakkam, Chennai city, 60 were screened and 45 were selected randomly using random sampling method. The age of the subjects ranged between 18 and 21 years. The subjects were divided into experimental group A, experimental group B and control group C of 15 subjects each. First experimental group was involved in yogic practices for 12 weeks with diet modification, Second experimental group was involved in yogic practices for 12 weeks only and the third control group kept in active rest. The Yogic Practices given to the experimental groups A&B  include Loosening Exercises, Surya namaskara, ParivarthaTrikosana, Padahasthasana, Adhomukthaswasana, Bujangasana, Salabasana, Pachimottanasana, Padhakonasana, Arthamachendriyasana, Koormasana, Sarvangasana, Mathyasana, UjjaiPranayamam, Kapalapathi, Bhastrika, Nadishodhana, Meditation and Shanthiasana.

 

Yogic Diet Chart Given To Experimental GroupA

Following items are instructed to be included in their diet everyday: Whole grains, Pulses, Nuts, Vegetables, Dairy products, Fruits. The Proportion of dietary items are: Grains 30%,Dairy Products 20%,Vegetables and Fruits   27%, Nuts   5%, Pulses and Fats 18%.

 

Diet Chart

Break Fast	Iddly or pongal, Sambar, Vadai, Chattini and Banana
Snacks	Dry Fruits or Fresh Fruits or Juice ,Vegetable soup or Green Tea
Lunch	Rice, Sambar, Vegetables, Fruits, Curd or Buttermilk
Snacks	Nuts , Fruits
Dinner	Rice or  Chappathi, Dal, Vegetables, Salad, Fruits, Milk

         Nutrients in the diet chart are Carbohydrates 60%, Fats 30%, and Proteins, Vitamins, Minerals, Water 10%

The selected variables, Anxiety and Attitude Stress were measured through blood test.

 

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

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.

 

RESULTS ON ANXIETY

The data pertaining to the variables collected from three 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 two experimental groups and control group in Anxietytest (Fasting One Hour) was analysed and presented in Table I.

 

Table I

The obtained F ratio on pre test scores 1.39 was lesser than the required F-value of 3.18 to be significant at 0.05 level. This proved that there was no significant difference between the groups in pre-test and the randomization at the pre-test was equal. The post test scores analysis proved that there was significant difference between the groups, as they obtained F value 55.60 was greater than the required F-value of 3.18. This proved that the differences between the post-test means of the subjects were significant. Taking into consideration the pre and post test scores among the groups, adjusted mean scores calculated. The obtained F value was 51.32, which was greater than required F value of 3.18. This proved that there was significant difference among the means due to twelve weeks of yogic practices with diet modification and yogic practices without diet modification on variables as in line with study conducted by Nidhi R et.al., (2012).

Since significant improvements were recorded, the results were subjected to post hoc analysis using Scheffe's Confidence Interval test. The results were presented in Table II

 

TABLE II

 

The difference of paired mean difference value of the two experimental groups is greater than the C.I value. Hence it is concluded that there is significant difference in Anxiety between Group A and Group B.

The pre-test, post-test and adjusted post-test mean values of yogic practices with diet modifications and the control group on Anxiety were graphically presented in Figure 1.

Figure 1

 

RESULTS ON ATTITUDE STRESS

TABLE III

The obtained F ratio on pre test scores 1.45 was lesser than the required F-value of 3.18 to be significant at 0.05 level. This proved that there was no significant difference between the groups in pre test and the randomization at the pre test was equal. The post test scores analysis proved that there was significant difference between the groups, as obtained F value 15.71 was greater than the required F-value of 3.18. This proved that the differences between the post-test means of the subjects were significant. Taking into consideration the pre and post test scores among the groups, adjusted mean scores calculated .The obtained F value was 23.37 which was greater than required F value of 3.18. This proved that there was significant difference among the means due to twelve weeks of yogic practices with diet modification and yogic practices without diet modification on variables as in line with study conducted by Rani K, and et.al. (2012)

Since significant improvements were recorded, the results were subjected to post hoc analysis using Scheffe's Confidence Interval test. The results were presented in Table V

 

Table IV

The difference of paired mean difference value of the two experimental groups is greater than the C.I value. Hence it is concluded that Experimental Group A i.e Yoga with Diet Modifications shows significant difference in Attitude Stress than Group B i.e Yoga without Diet Modifications.

The pre-test, post-test and adjusted post-test mean values of yogic practices with diet modifications and the control group on Attitude Stress were graphically presented in Figure 2.

 

Figure 2

 

DISCUSSION ON HYPOTHESIS

It was hypothesized that there would be significant differences on selected Psychological variables such as Anxiety and Attitude Stress due to yogic practices with and without diet modifications among college girls suffering with irregular menstruation than the control group. The results proved that there were significant differences on Anxiety (Decreased) and Attitude Stress (Decreased) due to yogic practices than the control group among college girls suffering with irregular menstruation. The hypothesis was accepted at 0.05 level of confidence.

It was hypothesized that there would be significant differences on selected Psychological variables such as Anxiety and Attitude Stress due to yogic practices with diet modifications and yogic practices without diet modifications among college girls suffering with irregular menstruation than the control group. The results from the post hoc test proved that there were significant differences on Anxiety and Attitude Stress (Decreased) due to yogic practices with diet modifications than due to yogic practices without diet modifications among college girls with irregular menstruation.

CONCLUSION

It was concluded that yogic practices with and without diet modifications decreased Anxiety and Attitude Stress significantly among college girls suffering with irregular menstruation. Hence, yogic practices with and without diet modifications are beneficial to college girls suffering with irregular menstruation.

 

REFERENCES

 

1. Nidhi, R., Padmalatha, V., Nagarathna, R., & Amritanshu, R. (2013). Effects of a holistic yoga program on endocrine parameters in adolescents with polycystic ovarian syndrome: a randomized controlled trial. Journal of alternative and complementary medicine (New York, N.Y.), 19(2), 153–160. https://doi.org/10.1089/acm.2011.0868
2. Rani, K., Tiwari, S., Singh, U., Singh, I., & Srivastava, N. (2012). Yoga Nidra as a complementary treatment of anxiety and depressive symptoms in patients with menstrual disorder. International journal of yoga, 5(1), 52–56. https://doi.org/10.4103/0973-6131.91715