Positive Health Online

Abstract

YARDI, Yardi Epilepsy Clinic, Kothrud, Pune, India, nyardi@hotmail.com, reviewed literature on yoga in relation to epilepsy and related conditions and relevant physiological parameters and quality-of-life (QoL) issues.

Background

Yoga alleviates stress, induces relaxation and provides multiple health benefits to practitioners. Commonly practised methods include controlled deep breathing, physical postures, meditation and philosophical ideas in varying proportions.

Methodology

The author reviews articles related to yoga and epilepsy, seizures, electroencephalogram (EEG) recordings, autonomic changes, neuropsychology, the limbic system, arousal, sleep, brain plasticity, motor performance, brain imaging studies and rehabilitation.

Results

Conclusion

There is a lack of randomized, blinded, controlled studies related to yoga and seizure control. The author suggests that a multicentre, cross-cultural, preferably blinded (although difficult for yoga), well-randomized, controlled trial (especially using a single yogic technique in a homogeneous population such as juvenile myoclonic epilepsy) is justified, in order to evaluate how yoga affects seizure control and QoL in persons with epilepsy.

References

Yardi N. Yoga for control of epilepsy. Seizure 10 (1): 7-12. Jan 2001.