Positive Health Online

Abstract

VISWESWARAIAH and TELLES, Vivekananda Yoga Research Foundation, Bangalore, India, have conducted a randomized trial of yoga as a complementary treatment for pulmonary tuberculosis.

Background

The aim of the study was to compare the efficacy of tuberculosis treatment with two complementary programmes, yoga and breath awareness practice, on the pulmonary functions and bacteriological status in tuberculosis patients.

Methodology

25 patients with pulmonary tuberculosis practised yoga, and 23 patients practised breath awareness, in addition to their standard medical care, for 6 times one hour a week for 2 months. Symptom scores, body weight, pulmonary parameters, and bacteriological findings were the main outcome measures.

Results

At the end of 2 months, the yoga group showed a significant decrease in symptoms and an increase in body weight and in pulmonary function. The breath awareness group also showed a decrease in symptom scores and an increase in body weight and pulmonary function. Significantly more patients in the yoga group showed sputum conversion on days 30 and 45 than in the breath awareness group. 10 of 13in the yoga group had negative sputum culture after 2 months compared to 3 of 19 in the breath awareness group. Improvements in the radiographic picture were found in 16 of 23 in the yoga group and in 3 of 23 in the breath awareness group.

Conclusion

The improvements found in the yoga group suggest a complementary role for yoga in the treatment of tuberculosis.

References

Visweswaraiah NK, Telles S. Randomized trial of yoga as a complementary therapy for pulmonary tuberculosis. Respirology 9 (1): 96-101, Mar 2004.