Effectiveness of Yoga-Based Lifestyle Treatment in Achieving Composite Treatment Goals for Type 2 Diabetes in a Rural Set Up of South India- A Retrospective Study

Abstract

Background and Aim: This retrospective cohort study examined the effects of yoga-treatment in rural Indian settings in achieving composite treatment goals set forth by the American Diabetes Association (ADA) for Type 2 Diabetes. Research Design and Methods: The study was a multicentre retrospective study. Records of 146 type 2 diabetes patients who received treatment under the Apollo Total Health Programme for rural diabetes management between November 2016 to April 2017 were extracted. Treatment based two equal groups (n=73 each) were assigned; non-yoga group with only usual care and experiment group with yoga as an adjunct treatment to the usual care. Comparative efficacy of 6 months of adjunct yoga treatment vs. usual care was evaluated against attainment of defined composite scores. Findings: Compared to usual care, 6 months adjunct yoga treatment was found to significantly facilitate the attainment of composite score by ~12-fold (OR=12.07, 95% CI= 0.89-163.76), individual treatment goals; A1c<7.0% by ~2-fold (OR=2.29, 95% CI=1.10-4.76); LDL-C<100 mg/dl by ~2-fold (OR=2.09, 95% CI=1.03-4.25); blood pressure<140/90 mmHg by ~6.75-fold (95% CI, 22.49-18.31) and, BMI<23 Kg/m2 by ~11-fold (OR=11.07, 95% CI= 2.02-60.73). Interpretation: This study provides first-time evidence for significant efficacy of adjunct yoga treatment towards the attainment of composite cardiovascular goals for type 2 diabetes in rural Indian settings. The pronounced significant effect of yoga on body composition deserves special attention based on of challenging aspects of weight-loss in diabetes. The present findings should be tested for sustainability in longer prospective randomized clinical trials. Funding: Apollo Total Health Programme, India Declaration of Interest: The authors declare no conflict of interest. Ethical Approval: The study was approved by the institutional ethics committee.