Effect of 6 weeks yoga training on level of stress and physical self-concept of diabetes mellitus patients

The study was conducted to determine the effect of 6 weeks yoga training on level of stress and physical self-concept of diabetes mellitus patients. For the purpose of this study 30 diabetes mellitus type-II middle aged patients were purposely selected. The selected patients underwent 6 weeks yoga practice. NSAD stress questionnaire by International Stress Management Association, UK and PSDQ-S by Marsh, H. W., Martin, A. J. & Jackson, S. (2010) were used to measure level of stress and physical self-concept respectively. The questionnaires were administered before and after the 6 weeks yoga training. The findings of the study showed 27.74% and 11.64% improvement in the level of stress and physical self-concept of diabetes mellitus patients respectively. The level of stress had decreased down from 13.23± 2.58 (Pre Test) to 9.56 ± 1.36 (Post Test) while the physical self-concept had increased from 181.18± 6.58 (Pre Test) to 202.27± 3.65 (Post Test). The decrease in the level of stress and increase in the physical self-concept were found significant as the‘t’ values obtained were 5.175 and 12.154 at p ≤ 0.05. It is concluded that yoga practice must be included as a mandatory activity in life so as to benefit people especially patients suffering from diabetes to improve their mental/psychological well being.