Abstract Background: In December 2019, a new corona-virus (COVID-19) infection broke out in the Chinese province of Wuhan. With the rampant spread of virus around the world, COVID-19 was declared as a global pandemic in the following year. Many complementary and alternate therapies (CAM) were used experimentally alongside conventional treatments for effective management of COVID-19. Aim: This paper presents a protocol for the systematic review and meta-analysis of the studies with various CAM therapies for the management of COVID-19 pneumonia. Methods: Electronic databases such as PubMed, Embase, Scopus, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) could be used for searching the relevant trials and studies with keywords related to COVID-19 and CAM therapies. Two independent reviewers would screen a list of all the trials and extract the relevant variables. Additionally, we would also evaluate the risk of bias of the selected studies. Review Manager software (RevMan; version 5.3.5) and R statistical software (version 3.6.1) would be used for the data analysis. Results: Risk ratio (RR) would be estimated for dichotomous outcomes, and the mean differences (MD) would be measured for continuous outcomes. Heterogeneity with the help of I 2 statistic would be used for the assessment of inconsistency across studies with the level of significance at P< 0.10. We would also assess publication bias using funnel plots and Egger’s test for the selected studies. Conclusion: The protocol for systematic review and meta-analysis would investigate the beneficial and possible adverse effects of various CAM therapies in the prevention and management of COVID-19 associated pneumonia.
ObjectivesPrevalence of Non-communicable Diseases (NCDs) are on the increase and there is an urgent need for novel and effective treatment modalities in the management of NCDs. Objective of the current study is to understand the success of one such 'novel' Yoga and Naturopathy based 'Lifestyle clinic' model, executed at various government rural and urban settings in Tamil Nadu, South India. The patient trends and health conditions with which they had visited these Yoga and Naturopathy centers are presented in this article.MethodWe retrospectively analyzed the data abstracted from various government Yoga & Naturopathy centers/Lifestyle clinics in Tamil Nadu, which includes the total number of outpatients, name and frequency of diseases diagnosed and treatments offered.ResultsTotal number of outpatients who had approached the centers/Lifestyle clinics between the period of 2015 and 2018 was 8,914,820. There was a positive increase in the trend of the number of patients who visited various Yoga and Naturopathy centers on a year-on-year basis since 2015. Of the patients identified, most patients visited the rural centers- National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) (44%). Patients who had visited other centers like District Headquarters Hospital (DHQHpl) and Medical College Hospitals (MCH) were 31% and 25% respectively.ConclusionOur study suggests that the Yoga and Naturopathy based 'Lifestyle clinic model' is successful in the community and there is a positive increase in trend among patients for utilizing these government centers. Further analysis of the characteristics of patients getting treated would help future researchers to implement stronger clinical evidence and its implementation on a larger scale.
Complementary and Alternate medicine (CAM) remains as the major source of healthcare for majority of the Indian population. This widespread resource needs to be strengthened, adequately trained and effectively utilized in the national health care delivery system for delivering an integrated and effective health care system.A cross sectional study was conducted involving 200 adults in two different settings-a community setting (n=100), and a hospital setting (n=100). A semi-structured questionnaire was used.Both in the community and in the hospital, siddha (80%) was the most well-known system of medicine, followed by Yoga (72%) and Naturopathy in the study population. However, the knowledge about the various available CAM therapies still seemed to be limited.Opinion on the integrated approach along with conventional medicine was welcoming. Still more awareness about these systems is required to facilitate integrative medicine in healthcare settings.
On March 24, 2020, India announced nationwide lockdown in an effort to manage the Coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic. Till date more than 12 million people got infected by Covid-19 and more than 0.162 million deaths reported.1COVID-19 update, COVID-19 IndiaMinistry of health and family Welfare.https://www.mohfw.gov.inDate accessed: April 14, 2021Google Scholar Government of India (GoI), has efficiently managed this pandemic along with the direction of World Health Organization (WHO) and Indian council of Medical research (ICMR) recommendations.2Clinical Management Protocol: COVID-19.https://www.mohfw.gov.in/pdf/ClinicalManagementProtocolforCOVID19.pdfDate accessed: April 13, 2021Google Scholar In addition, Ministry of AYUSH (MoA) also came out with various adjuvant remedies for the control of Covid-19 pandemic.3Ministry of AYUSHGovernment of India Advisory from Ministry of AYUSH for Meeting the Challenge Arising Out of Spread of Corona Virus (Covid-19) in India. Ministry of AYUSH, Government of India, New Delhi, India2020https://www.ayush.gov.in/docs/125.pdfGoogle Scholar In this regard, Tamilnadu government in association with Indian System of Medicine (ISM) initiated effective control measures for prevention of infection and enhancement of immune system to combat the Covid-19. Yoga and Naturopathy, an Indian System of Medicine that focuses on treating the root cause of disease, proposed an advisory (Table 1) on implementing Yoga & Naturopathy interventions for Covid-19 patients together with allopathic management. This advisory includes yoga (asana, pranayama, meditation & kriya), hydrotherapy (hot water drinking, hot water gargling and steam inhalation), aromatherapy (eucalyptus oil and peppermint oil), self-acupressure and sun bath. In addition to that, natural immune booster which includes peeled crushed Ginger, Tulsi (Basil) leaves, pepper powder and crushed adhimaduram also provided for improving their natural immunity. These immune boosting hot drinks were prepared under expert's supervision and delivered to the patients undergoing treatment for Covid-19 along with conventional care. The focus of the interventions was on improving the physical and mental health along with their immunity. These commonly used nutraceuticals; Ginger (Zingiber ofcinale), Tulsi (Ocimum sanctum L./Basil), pepper powder (Piper nigrum) and Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera L.) act as an anti-inflammatory, immuno-modulator and angiotensin-converting-enzyme (ACE-2) inhibitor.4Patel B. Sharma S. Nair N. Majeed J. Goyal R.K. Dhobi M. Therapeutic opportunities of edible antiviral plants for COVID-19.Mol Cell Biochem. 2021 Feb 15; : 1-20PubMed Google Scholar The major cause of death in Covid-19 is due to weak immune mechanisms coupled with the cytokine surge,5Loganathan S. Kuppusamy M. Wankhar W. et al.Angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2): COVID 19 gate way to multiple organ failure syndromes.Respir Physiol Neurobiol. 2021 Jan; 283: 103548Crossref PubMed Scopus (66) Google Scholar so these nutraceuticals were incorporated in daily routine diet as a supportive treatment against Covid-19 for reduction in the severity and mortality of the patients. Till date, more than 5,00,000 patients have been covered across 178 Covid care centers of Tamilnadu. A team of Yoga and naturopathy doctors provided the yoga and naturopathy interventions to the patients admitted in their respective Covid care centers across 37 districts of the entire state of Tamilnadu. The same interventions were shared to the patients as an E module (videos) as well, for better learning and self-practice. Specifically, two districts namely Chennai and Coimbatore which had highest positive cases (more than 15,000 patients) were effectively treated with Yoga and Naturopathy interventions (Fig. 1). Patients with asymptomatic, mild and moderate severity also received the interventions by the experienced Yoga and naturopathy doctors. One of our recent study add that there was significant reduction of anxiety and depression level as well among the Covid-19 patients by the yoga and naturopathy advisory recommended interventions.6Jenefer Jerrin R. Theebika S. Panneerselvam P. Venkateswaran S.T. Manavalan N. Maheshkumar K. Yoga and Naturopathy intervention for reducing Anxiety and Depression of Covid-19 patients – a pilot study.Clinical Epidemiology and Global Health. 2021; 11: 100800https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cegh.2021.100800Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (22) Google Scholar In addition, many patients have given positive feedback about the interventions and how it was helping them during their treatment period. After discharge, through telephonic mode most of the patients were followed up and advised to take our interventions in a regular manner for the long term benefit. Tamilnadu is the only state where the yoga and naturopathy module in Covid care management designed, approved and implemented in all the districts efficiently in various modes. Successful implementation of this model is due to active Yoga and Naturopathy wing in all the districts headquarter government hospitals and allopathy medical college hospitals across the state. This kind of model can be extended national wide for better care and management of Covid-19 pandemic.Table 1Advisory on Yoga & Naturopathy interventions for COVID-19.TreatmentDetailsEssential care for allNatural immune boosting fresh juiceIndian Gooseberry juice – 50ml, Basil Juice – 50ml, Ginger Juice – 10ml, Fresh Lime juice – 5ml, Turmeric powder – ¼ tsp, Water – 150 mlDosage: twice dailyNatural immune boosting hot drinkPeeled Crushed Ginger 5 gm, Tulsi (Basil) leaves 10 gms, Pepper powder ¼ tsp, Crushed Adhimaduram 5 gms (liquorice root), Turmeric powder ¼ tsp and drinking water 250 ml. Boiled and given twice a day.Yoga therapyPosture (Vajrasana, Bhastrika, Bhramari), Quick relaxation technique, Deep relaxation technique, Jala Neti.Twice or thrice as recommended by the physicianSpecific care for the needed patients recommended by Yoga and Naturopathy doctorsWarm salt water garglingTaking 30–50 ml of water and whirl it around the pharynx & oral cavitySteam inhalationInhalation of steam with or without essential oils/Nochi/Neem leavesSunbathSun exposure (20 minutes) in the morning and eveningAromatherapyEucalyptus/Peppermint/thyme/lavendar/Ajjwain oil: 1–2 drops in tissue paper or mix with gingelly oil/Coconut oil & inhaled now and then Open table in a new tab Category 1. Conception and design of study: N.Manavalan, ST Venkateswaran, Acquisition of data: T.Prabu, K.Kahlil Subramanian Analysis and/or interpretation of data: K.Maheshkumar. Category 2. Drafting the manuscript: T.Prabu, K.Kahlil Subramanian, K.Maheshkumar Revising the manuscript critically for important intellectual content: T.Prabu, K.Kahlil Subramanian, N.Manavalan, ST Venkateswaran, K.Maheshkumar Category 3. Approval of the version of the manuscript to be published (the names of all authors must be listed): T.Prabu, K.Kahlil Subramanian, ST Venkateswaran, N.Manavalan, K.Maheshkumar. Authors declare having no conflict of interest regarding this study. Nil.
Abstract Background Kaki Mudra is a yogic gesture that involves nasikagara drishti focusing on the nose tip without the eyes blinking and pursing the lips, which form beaks during inhalation, and exhaling slowly through the nose. However, there is a lack of evidence on the impact of kaki mudra on cardiovascular changes and autonomic function using pupillary light reflex (PLR). Methods A randomized control study design will be adopted for this study with 80 healthy participants with more than 18 years of age, will be recruited. Subjects will be randomly divided into the study ( n = 40) and control groups ( n = 40). The study group will be advised to practice Kaki Mudra for 20 min, whereas the control group will be asked to relax in sitting posture for 20 min. Results The baseline and post-assessment will be immediately evaluated for all the individuals; five leads to ECG for heart rate variability (HRV) and dynamic pupillometry for PLR. Discussion The immediate effect of kaki mudra is an effective and simple technique that might improve HRV and PLR variable, which may improve overall health and enhance parasympathetic dominance among healthy participants. The study is prospectively registered in the Clinical Trial Registry of India (CTRI/2024/05/067289).
Background: Functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) is a tool to measure variations in cerebral hemodynamics. The study investigates the physiological changes in cerebral blood flow before, during, and after the practice of bantha hasta utthanasana among healthy participants. Methods: The proposed study is a hospital-based randomized controlled trial comparing bantha hasta utthanasana with the control group. A total of 60 participants will be randomly divided into an intervention group (n=30) and a control group (n=30) as per inclusion and exclusion criteria. The intervention group will practice bantha hasta utthanasana for 10 minutes. The control group will be instructed to sit for 10 minutes. Functional near-infrared spectroscopy will be performed before (5 minutes), during (10 minutes), and after (5 minutes) the practice in both groups. Conclusions: This study protocol aims to investigate whether the practice of bandha hasta utthanasana can enhance cerebral hemodynamics. The research seeks to determine if this simple practice can be used to manage individuals with cerebral hemodynamic impairment and potentially prevent such issues in the future. Trial Registration: CTRI/2023/10/059039.
Autonomic dysfunction is one of the major complications in noncommunicable diseases, and there are studies to prove yoga practice improves cardiac autonomic function. So, this present study was done to compare the autonomic functions among yoga practitioners and nonyoga practitioners.This cross-sectional comparative study was initiated among 68 healthy volunteers of both sexes, after recruiting them based on inclusion and exclusion criteria in the age group of 17-30 yrs. The autonomic reactivity tests like resting heart rate, response of heart rate to standing, Valsalva maneuver, and response of heart rate to deep breathing, response of BP to standing, and sustained hand-grip were done.In the autonomic reactivity test, resting heart rate (80.92 ± 11.76 vs 69.24 ± 10.64) and sustained handgrip (16.30 ± 4.53 vs 10.20 ± 3.67) significantly decreased (P < 0.05) in the participants of the yoga group compared to control group. Deep breathing test, Valsalva maneuver, 30:15 ratio in lying to standing, and BP response to standing test did not show any significant difference between the groups (P > 0.05).The present study revealed diminished sympathetic activity and improved parasympathetic activity among the regular yoga practicing participants. It can be practiced regularly to reduce stress and prevent lifestyle-associated disorders in the future.
Obesity is considered as one of the major public health burden and it is predictor of cardiovascular risk factor. Yoga is a mind-body medicine helps to promote health. This study was aimed to explore whether
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