Background: Air pollution poses a significant public health risk, particularly in urban areas such as Delhi-NCR, where airborne pollutants are prevalent. This exposure contributes to impaired pulmonary function and increased psychological stress. While pharmacological interventions exist, holistic approaches such as yoga remain underexplored in this context.
Objective: This study evaluates the impact of a structured yoga program on pulmonary function and psychological well-being in individuals chronically exposed to air pollution in Delhi-NCR.
Methods: A 12-week randomized controlled trial was conducted among 86 adults, aged 18–50 years. Participants were randomly assigned to a yoga intervention group or a control group. The intervention group practiced a structured daily yoga regimen informed by Hatha Yoga philosophy, comprising 60-minute sessions of asanas, pranayama, and guided meditation, five days a week. Pulmonary functions, such as forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1), and peak expiration flow rate (PEFR), were assessed using spirometry. Psychological health was measured using the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) and the Depression Anxiety Stress Scales (DASS-21). Quality of life was evaluated using the St. George’s Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ). All assessments were conducted at baseline and post-intervention.
Results: The yoga group demonstrated statistically significant improvements in pulmonary function (FVC: +0.83 L, FEV1: +0.93 L, PEFR: +2.06 L/sec), psychological well-being (reduced DASS-21 and PSS scores), and quality of life (improved SGRQ scores). In contrast, the control group showed deterioration in all measured outcomes.
Conclusion: Yoga appears to be an effective, non-pharmacological strategy to counteract the negative health effects of air pollution. These findings suggest that integration of structured yoga programs into public health interventions may be beneficial for populations residing in polluted urban environments.
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