Effectiveness of Yogic Practices on Glycemic Control and Body Mass Index among Type-2 Diabetes Mellitus Patients in a Selected Health Centre at Mangalore

It was estimated that the global burden of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) for 2010 would be 285 million people which was projected to increase to 438 million in 2030; a sixty five percentage increase. Similarly, for India this increase was estimated to be 58%, from 51 million people in 2010 to 87 million in 2030. Majority of people living in the developing nations do not possess the financial resources to pay for the modern drugs owing to the high costs. In order to taper down the usage of conventional drugs so as to reduce their side effects, complementary and alternative therapies are gaining importance these days which have shown remarkable effects in the management of diabetes and Body Mass Index.

A quasi experimental research approach with a time series design using a purposive sampling technique was adopted to draw 40 diabetic patients as subjects; 20 in the experimental group and 20 in the control group. A glucometer was used to analyze the FBS & PPBS levels of patients. Morrison's weighing machine and inch tape was used to record weight (in kilograms) and height (in meters) of the subjects respectively on first day (Pre test) following which Vakrasana yoga was taught to the experimental group at the PHC (individual as well as in small groups). Weekly supervision of the subjects was carried out and a compliance diary to ensure adherence to the treatment was also provided. Post tests were conducted on the 21^st and 31^st days in the experimental and control group.

There was a significant difference in the mean FBS scores (t₍₃₉₎=0.035, p<0.05) and mean PPBS scores (t₍₃₉₎=0.052, p<0.05) of diabetic patients in the experimental group before and after practising yoga therapy. No significant difference was seen in the mean BMI scores of diabetic patients in the experimental group before and after practising yoga therapy (F _{(2, 57)} =0.743, p<0.05) and between the experimental group and control group (t₍₃₈₎= 1.417, p< 0.05). There was significant difference in the FBS level (t₍₃₈₎= 5.029, p<0.01) and PPBS level (t₍₃₈₎=6.101, p<0.01) between the experimental group and control group. There was no significant association of physiological factors with the selected demographic variables (p₍₄₎ = 2.776, p₍₃₎= 3.182, p₍₂₎=4.303, p₍₁₎ =12.706, p<0.05).

In this study, yogic practices (Vakrasana) were effective in reducing the blood sugar values, but failed to bring about significant difference in body mass index among type 2 diabetes mellitus patients.