IMPACT OF SIMPLIFIED KUNDALINI YOGA (SKY) WITH AND WITHOUT VARMA THERAPY ON PEAK EXPIRATORY FLOW RATE (PEFR) AND LIFE SATISFACTION (LISAT-11) AMONG MIDDLE-AGED WOMEN UNDERGOING TUBERCULOSIS REHABILITATION

Abstract

This randomized controlled trial evaluated the impact of Simplified Kundalini Yoga (SKY) with and without Varma therapy on pulmonary function and life satisfaction among middle-aged women undergoing pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) rehabilitation. Sixty women aged 35–50 years, adhering to the National Tuberculosis Elimination Programme (NTEP) protocol, were randomly allocated into three groups: Experimental Group I receiving SKY with Varma therapy (n = 20), Experimental Group II receiving SKY alone (n = 20), and a control group receiving standard care without yoga or Varma intervention (n = 20). Both experimental groups participated in supervised interventions for 60 minutes daily, six days a week and varma alternative three days per week, throughout a duration of 12 weeks.  Peak Expiratory Flow Rate (PEFR) was evaluated with a standardized peak flow meter, and life satisfaction was quantified using the Life Satisfaction Questionnaire-11 (LiSat-11) at baseline and end the intervention. Post-test analysis indicated a statistically significant enhancement in PEFR for Experimental Group I (baseline: 309.6 ± 42.1 L/min; post-test: 352.8 ± 38.7 L/min; Δ = +43.2 L/min, p < 0.001) and Experimental Group II (Δ = +28.5 L/min, p = 0.004), in contrast to negligible change in the control group (Δ = +6.1 L/min, p > 0.05). Likewise, LiSat-11 scores exhibited substantial increases in Experimental Group I (Δ = +7.1, p < 0.001) and Experimental Group II (Δ = +4.9, p = 0.003), while no significant enhancement was noted in the control group. The results demonstrate that SKY, especially when integrated with Varma therapy, is an efficacious and safe adjunctive treatment for enhancing pulmonary function and life satisfaction in women undergoing tuberculosis rehabilitation, in conjunction with obligatory NTEP-compliant medical care.