EFFECT OF YOGA AND NATUROPATHY ON PHYSICAL, BIOCHEMICAL, IMMUNOLOGICAL AND INFLAMMATORY PARAMETERS IN PATIENTS SUFFERING FROM RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS

Abstract

Aim: Present study was aimed to find out the effect of yoga and naturopathy, that has gained tremendous magnitude in recent times, on morning stiffness, joint swelling, routine biochemical parameters, ESR, RA factor and serum IL -6 levels in patients suffering from rheumatoid arthritis. Materials and Methods: Total of Seventy five rheumatoid arthritis patients were enrolled and divided in two groups. Control group included 36 patients taking allopathic medication. Treatment group included 39 patients taking yoga (pranayama and asanas) and naturopathy (hot and cold fomentation and message therapy) along with allopathic medication. Morning stiffness, joint swelling along with routine biochemical parameters, ESR, RA factor and serum Interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels were estimated in both the groups. Results: Results are expressed as mean ±SD. Student’s paired t test (two-tailed) from baseline to 12 months was computed. There was a significant reduction in morning stiffness and joint swelling in treatment group (p<0.001) as compared to control group (p<0.05).Reduction in RA factor was only in treatment group (p<0.001) . No significant effect was observed on liver function tests (LFT) and kidney function tests (KFT). In treatment group significant reduction was observed in ESR group (p<0.05) and serum IL -6 (p<0.001). Conclusion: Significant reduction in morning stiffness, joint swelling, ESR, RA factor and levels of IL-6 in patients who undertook regular yoga and naturopathy in addition to allopathic treatment emphasizes the importance of natural healing measures in order to limit inflammation in RA.