RESULTS

The data obtained on all these 30 parameters for the whole group of 570 patients followed up for 3 to 54 months are presented in Table 2. For all the continuous parameters (1 to 12 and 19 to 30) the standard Student’s paired t test for the mean of the differences is used to evaluate the changes. For the parameters 13 to 18, the two-tailed standard test for dichotomous variables (12) has been adopted.

Except for the number of injections per year and crepitations, all other specific parameters (1 to 18) show highly significant improvements, as can be seen in Table 2. The general parameters (19 to 30) indicated the effects of yoga on the general health of those persons. Table 2 shows significant improvements in most of the variables except in the cardiac parameters, including PR and BP.

Tables 3a, b, and c depict the effect of regular, irregular, and discontinued yoga practice on the various parameters under study. Comparing the results on these three tables, we notice that results are highly significant in those who have been regular with their yoga practices. The t values are highest for all specific parameters in Table 3a. The t values for reduction in injections/ year and crepitations have reached significant levels in this category, as opposed to in the other two groups and the entire group as a whole. The pattern for the general parameters is similar to that for the whole group.

Table 3b illustrates that those who practiced yoga irregularly show the least improvement. Although the changes are not significant for many of the parameters, the most important ones-reduction in attacks/ week, duration, severity, and medication, and the increase in PFR-do show significantly good t values.

It is interesting to note that those who had discontinued yoga after practising regularly for varying durations following the initial training experienced much better results than those who were irregular practitioners (Table 3c). Here the results are very much similar to those for patients who continued to practice regularly. Except for the two variables, i.e., crepitations and injections, most of the specific parameters show highly significant improvement. The general parameters show the same pattern as for the whole group.

Table 2 Result for the complete group

^an= Number of patients, ^b Xb, Xa = Mean before and after yoga, respectively.
^c S.D.b, ^c S.D.a = Standard deviation for the corresponding means. t > 2.78, p < 0.005; t of 1.96 = p < 0.05.,
^d Specific parameters = highly significant improvement in all except injections and crepitations.
^e General = Significant improvement in all except sore throats/ years, PR, and BP.
^g Significant if greater than 4.18

Table 3a Result for the complete group

^a t > 2.78 is p less than 0.005 and t = 1.96 corresponds to p = 0.05 Highly significant improvement on all parameters except 21, 22, 25, and 27.
^bSignificant if > 4.18.

Table 3b Result for the complete group

^a Significant improvement in a few important parameters only, i.e., 1, 3, 5, 6, 9, and 19.

Table 3c Result for the complete group

^a Highly significant improvements in most of the parameters similar to those in the regular yoga practice group.