RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

The basic data taken on patients suffering from bronchial asthma, were recorded in a tabular form. From the case sheets it is noted that there was a noticeable improvement in the general

TABLE 1 Basic Set of Yogic Practices Used

feeling of all the patients. They all felt more energetic, healthy, lively and enjoyed the immediate effects of Yoga practices. This also helped them to continue the practices and gain self-confidence that their stresses could be relieved easily through the Yoga techniques.

In this preliminary study, although we lack many of the objective parameters (quantitative measurements), which have been introduced in the further studies, an attempt has been made to score the symptoms (Table2). Student 't' test was applied to assess the significance of the difference of the mean values before and after the practices for all the parameters selected. As can be seen through this analysis in Table 3 there was a significant improvement with a probability value 'P' less than 0.005 in all the parameters used i.e., the severity, duration of attacks, number of attacks per week, nasal allergy and reduction in the dose of the bronchodilators used (medication).

Table 2 Definition and Description of Parameters used for Statistical Analysis of Patients suffering from Bronchial Asthma



TABLE 3 Statistical Analysis

It appears that the improvement noticed in asthmatics can be attributed to the following effects of Yogic practices:

1. Release of stresses : The psychological conflicts and emotional upsurges cause great stresses at the subconscious level. They percolate into the physical frame manifesting as bronchial asthma. The deep relaxation at physical and mental levels achieved through Yogic practice removes these stresses and brings about the benefits observed.

2. Decreasing the allergy factor : The desensitizing effect of Yogic practices like cleansing process (Kriyas) contributes a great deal to decrease the allergy. Also the stamina developed by the patients after the practice of breathing techniques and Yoga practice of breathing techniques and Yoga postures and contributory to remove the allergy and to prevent frequent episodes. The susceptibility to infection, one of the important precipitating factors for frequent and prolonged episodes is also reduced.

3. Removal of the panic element : It is well known that anxiety is a prominent factor which worsens the airway obstruction in asthma and calls for more bronchodilator drugs. The calming of mind which is the core of Yogic practices helps the patients to allay their anxiety and reduce the severity or asthma. This removal of panic helps the patients to diffuse the episode often effectively with minimum use of drugs.

These results indicate a distinct possibility of using Yogic practices presented in this communication to treat bronchial asthma.