Issue 78
MANOCHA and colleagues, Natural Therapies Unit, Royal Hospital for Women,
New South Wales, Australia, evaluated Sahaja yoga as adjunctive treatment for
asthma patients who continue to experience asthma symptoms despite taking
moderate to high doses of inhaled corticosteroids.
Background: Sahaja yoga is a traditional system of meditation that can have
therapeutic benefits.
Methods:In this randomized, controlled, double-blind, parallel-group study, 59 adult
asthma patients were assigned to a Sahaja yoga (n=30) or control (n=29) group. All
subjects attended a 2-hour session once a week for 4 months. Study measurements,
taken at the end of treatment and at a 2-month follow up, were: asthma-related
quality of life (AQLQ; range 0-4); Profile of Mood States (POMS); airway
hyperresponsiveness to methacholine (AHR); and a self-reported (diary card-
based) asthma score (CAS; range 0-12) combining symptoms, use of
bronchodilators and peak expiratory flow (PEF) rates.
Results: 20 subjects from the yoga group and 26 from the control group completed
the end of treatment assessments. In the yoga group, improvement in the AHR at the
end of treatment was 1.5 doubling doses greater than in the control group. Also in
the yoga group, the AQLQ mood subscale score (difference 0.63) and the summary
POMS score (difference 18.4) improved to a greater extent. However, differences
in overall AQLQ score (0.41) and CAS (0.9) were not significant. No differences
between the two groups could be detected at the 2-month follow-up assessment.
Conclusion: Sahaja yoga had some limited beneficial effects for asthma patients
who had persisting symptoms despite inhaled steroid therapy. Further research
would help uncover the mode of action of the observed effects and establish whether
the intervention could prove clinically useful for patients with severe asthma.
Manocha R et al. Sahaja yoga in the management of moderate to severe asthma: a
randomised controlled trial. Thorax 57 (2): 110-5. Feb 2002.
Comment: Research such as the above concerning yoga and breathing techniques are
extremely importance, especially in light of the increasing asthma epidemic being
experienced throughout much of the world.
Yoga 'can help asthmatics'
Severe asthmatics may benefit from yoga
A type of meditation based on yoga may ease asthma for some.
However, there is little evidence that other relaxation techniques can help.
Two studies carried out at the Department of Complementary Medicine at the
University of Exeter looked at a variety of techniques.
The first compared patients taught to carry out Sahaja meditation with another
group using other forms of relaxation, such as "positive affirmation", visualisation
and progressive muscle relaxation.
Sahaja meditation aims to create a state of "full or heightened mental alertness".
The researchers found that after four months, the patients, who had moderate to
severe asthma which had failed to respond to conventional drug treatment, showed
distinct differences.
The responsiveness of the patients' airways was measured, and in the meditation
group, responsiveness to asthma medication was noticeably better than those simply
carrying out relaxation techniques.
The extra effect they experienced was similar to the other group being given an
extra dose of medication.
The mood of both groups was also assessed - both had improved - but by more in
the case of the meditating asthmatics.
Quality of life
However, there were no noticeable differences in the overall The benefits of yoga,
measured "quality of life", or, significantly, in the use of or any other
inhalers, reported symptoms or breath strength. relaxation
techniques, are
Another study carried out at the university reviewed a number additional to the
of other trials looking at the effects on asthma of several benefits of
conventional drug
relaxation techniques.
treatment, and it is
vital that patients
These included progressive muscular relaxation, continue to take
hypnotherapy, "autogenic training" - which aims to create a their prescribed
state of "detached but alert awareness", and transcendental medication
meditation.
Of 15 trials, two involving progressive muscle relaxation or Dr John Harvey,
muscular and mental relaxation showed significant British Thoracic
improvements in lung function - but the researchers Society
suggested that the "poor quality" of the research might be
harming the chances of reliable answers from the studies.
Dr John Harvey, from the British Thoracic Society, said: "Complementary therapy is
becoming more popular with patients as they seek to relieve the emotional, as well
as physical symptoms of their condition.
"Simple relaxation techniques and exercise can help regulate breathing patterns and
also improve lung function.
"As a result, some asthmatics may find yoga helps them to manage their condition
by easing symptoms."
However, he added: "The benefits of yoga, or any other relaxation techniques, are
additional to the benefits of conventional drug treatment, and it is vital that patients
continue to take their prescribed medication."
