Effect of Integrated Approach of Yoga Therapy on Noninvasive Cardiovascular Responses: Study on Young and Older Healthy Males

Background and Aims: Arterial stiffness index (ASI) is significantly reduced after physical exercise or after Yoga activities. However, the effect of integrated yoga therapy (IAYT) for longer duration, using PC based cardiovascular analyzer & PPG analysis system on non-invasive cardiovascular responses such as arterial stiffness index or ankle brachial index (ABI) are not yet reported. The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of IAYT for a longer duration on noninvasive cardiovascular responses including arterial stiffness index in both young and older healthy males living in rural areas.

Methodology: A total of 20 healthy subjects were included in the study. All healthy participants were divided into two groups (A&B) based on their age. There were 10 participants in group A considered as young healthy aged below 40 years, 10 old healthy adults aged above 50 years were included in group B. All participants in group A & B were accepted and recorded all non- invasive cardiovascular parameters as experimental control (group C). A 6-weeks integrated approach of yoga therapy (IAYT) was given as an intervention to the participants come under group A & B. The PC based cardiovascular analyzer and PC based PPG analysis system were used to record almost all cardiovascular parameters signifying the status of arterial stiffness index and ankle brachial index at the beginning and end of the yoga program. The arterial stiffness index (ASI) and reflection index (RI) were computed from the pulse data. The data were analyzed using the paired-samples t test.

Results: There was a significant reduction in Pulse Wave Velocity (PWV), ASI (P < 0.05) and no significant alterations (P>0.05) on ABI after IAYT for 6-weeks of IAYT in young and old participants. There was non-significant reduction in BMI after IAYT in healthy young and older adults, but the ASI was more significantly low (P<0.01) in young adults. There were no significant changes in Systolic Blood Pressure (SBP), Diastolic Blood Pressure (DBP) and Pulse Pressure (PP) after IAYT for 6 weeks.

Conclusion: Our findings suggest that IAYT offered was more effective than Yoga or brisk-walk separately in reducing ASI. This could be due to reduce sympathetic activity and improved endothelial function with enhancement in bioavailability of NO, which would be less effective in aged individuals. The age-related endothelial dysfunction associated with decreased bioavailability of nitric oxide (NO), a potent vasodilator, contributes to vascular stiffness would not be ruled out. The life-style modalities in IAYT must be considered as a prime candidate to reduce cardiovascular diseases (CVD).