Effect of yogic exercise on blood sugar and blood pressure level in patients of Diabetes mellitus type 2: A pre and post interventional study

Abstract

Background: Diabetes is the fifth leading cause of death in the U.S. One hundred million persons have history of diabetes worldwide. Diabetes also contribute to higher rates of morbidity- people with diabetes are at higher risk for heart disease, blindness, kidney failure, extremity amputations and other chronic conditions. Diabetes imposes a substantial cost burden to society, & in particular to those individuals with diabetes and their families. Aims & Objectives: To study the effect of six month of pranayam training on blood sugar and blood pressure in patients of diabetes mellitus type 2. Materials and Methods: The Study comprised of 50 known Diabetic patients aged 35-65 years. The study population was subjected to practice yoga, anulom vilom pranayam and kapalbhati, 5 minutes each, daily for a total period of six month, under observation of a yoga instructor. The effect of yoga practice on various parameters were recorded and statistically analyzed for evaluation. Results: There was a significant reduction in subject’s fasting blood sugar level from 174.19 ± 39.57 at their first visit to 154.83 ± 24.579 after six months of pranayam. The change was significant in both the gender. Systolic and diastolic blood pressure had not shown any significant reduction after 6 months of pranayam (SBP-154.50 ± 13.86 & 153.00 ± 12.76, DBP-92.92 ± 6.31 & 92.143 ± 5.54). Conclusion: Pranayam practice is beneficial in diabetic patients in terms of reduction of blood sugar. However, no substantial reduction in blood pressure was noted. The two yoga practices, it appears, do help subjects to lower their blood sugar level, but are not helpful in achieving control of their blood pressure.