Role of Yoga in Management of Autonomic Dysfunctions in Persons with Mental Health Disorders | Original Article

ABSTRACT:

Background Autonomic dysfunctions predict the risk of for cardiovascular disease. Patients having mental illness may have cardiac risk. Yoga may be applied for management of autonomic dysfunctions. Objectives The present investigation was aimed to find out the role of yoga in management of autonomic dysfunctions in persons with mental health disorders. Methods A total of 300 hundred (n = 300) adult male (age 21–50 years) included, and were divided into two groups (a) mental health disorders group (MHDG, n = 150) and control group (CG, n= 150) 30 from MHDG and 30 from CG were excluded. The remaining 120 volunteers of MHDG and 120 volunteers CG were divided into three age groups (i) 21-30 yrs (Category-I) (n = 40), (ii) 31-40 yrs (Category-II) (n = 40), and (iii) 41-50 yrs (Category-III) (n=40). The MHDG followed a yoga training of 60 minday, 5 daysweek for 12 weeks no yoga training was followed in CG. The autonomic function tests were performed in both the groups at the beginning (0-week) and after 12-weeks of intervention. Results A significantly lower resting respiratory rate (RRR), mean resting heart rate (MRHR), systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), and blood pressure response to sustained handgrip test (HGT) and greater heart rate variation during deep breathing (EI ratio), heart rate response to standing (3015 ratio) and heart rate response to Valsalva manoeuvre (HRVM) and the blood pressure response to standing (OHT) was noted in MHDG after 12 weeks of yoga compared to 0 week. A significantly high RRR, MRHR, SBP, DBP and HGT and lower EI ratio, 3015 ratio, HRVM and OHT was observed among the subjects of MHDG than CG at 0 week, and after 12 weeks intervention. Age wise difference in the above variables was also observed among the groups. Conclusion Yoga may be applied for management of cardiac autonomic dysfunctions which may reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease in persons with mental health disorders.