Role of naturopathy and yoga therapy on subjective well-being and prevention of non-communicable diseases

Abstract

Background: National Health Policy 2017 recognizes the need to nurture Ayurveda, Yoga, Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, and Homeopathy (AYUSH) system of medicine through the development of infrastructural facilities of teaching institutions, improving quality control of drugs, capacity building of institutions and professionals. It also recognizes the need for building research and public health skills for preventive and promotive health care. Linking AYUSH systems with Accredited Social Health Activists and Village Health Sanitation and Nutrition Committee would be an important plank of this policy. Objectives: The objectives of the study were to determine patients’ subjective feeling of well-being and outcomes after naturopathy treatment. Materials and Methods: The study was conducted among inpatients (IP) of a naturopathy center in the field practice area of an Rural Health Training Centre attached to the Department of Community Medicine in a Medical College, Navi Mumbai. Questionnaires were distributed for 3 months to all the IP who were willing to participate and give their feedback at discharge. A total of 64 subjects responded. They were personally interviewed, their history and presenting complaints were listed, clinical examination was done, positive findings were noted, details of treatment and advice given were enumerated. Obtained data were tabulated in MS Excel and analyzed using SPSS software. Patients received normal care from the respective therapists and no intervention was done from our side. Permission from the Institutional Review Board for conducting the study was taken. Results: Systolic blood pressure before and after therapy was compared, there was a difference of mean reduction in 4 mmHg with P = 0.00. Significant reduction in weight was noticed among overweight and obese people taking the therapy. A strong positive correlation was seen when quantity of weight reduction was correlated with initial Body Mass Index (BMI). The correlation constant was 0.811 with a significance level of 0.00. Conclusion: Naturopathy therapy as well as yoga practice results in a broad range of outcomes from physical and emotional change through to wider benefits involving the patients’ lifestyle, outlook, and attitude toward their health.