Background: Yoga practices have shown benefits in people with multiple sclerosis, improving their memory, fatigue, bladder symptoms, perception, stress, mood, and quality of life.
Objective: This study investigates the effects of add-on yoga in people with recurrent remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS).
Materials and Methods: This is a single group, pre-post retrospective study, involving 92 participants with RRMS in remission and residual symptoms, undergoing neurorehabilitation at Kuratorium Wohnen Alter (KWA) in Germany (n = 32) and SVYASA University in India (n = 60). All participants received a two-week integrated yoga module, without changes to medications. Clinical assessments were performed using a symptom checklist for Indian and the Barthel index for German participants, before and after the intervention.
Results: Both groups showed significant improvements (P < .05) in their symptoms and vital parameters. The Barthel index improved by 21%, and the symptom scale by 53%. Vital parameters revealed a 5.6% and 3.3% reduction in systolic blood pressure in the German and Indian cohorts, respectively, and a 2.3% and 4.0% reduction in diastolic blood pressure in the two respective cohorts. Resting respiratory rate decreased by 13.34%, with an increase in exhalation time (humming Bhramari) by 49%, indicating reduced autonomic arousal. 26 and 50 participants in the German and Indian cohorts, respectively, were on disease-modifying agents (standard medication). Symptom analysis showed significant reductions (P < .05) in fatigue, pain, imbalance, stiffness, numbness, and impaired mobility, with gait improvement. After 7 years, the Indian cohort showed a 53% reduction in their symptom score.
Conclusion: Add-on integrated yoga therapy improved symptoms and vital parameters for both Caucasian and Indian people with MS. No relapses were observed over 7 years in regular Indian yoga practitioners using disease-modifying agents.
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