Integrated Yoga and Naturopathy Intervention on Glycemic Profile and Autonomic Variables in Co-Existence of Diabetes Mellitus with Hypertension: A Two-Arm Observational Study.

Abstract

Background: Diabetes Mellitus coexisting with hypertension has received significant global attention and remains a public health challenge in the past two decades. The states of hyperinsulinemia and insulin resistance have been postulated as causes or consequences of hypertension. Evidence shows that alternative systems of medicine can play a significant role in achieving glycemic control. This study aimed to compare and evaluate the impact of yoga and naturopathy-based lifestyles on patients with diabetes mellitus and diabetes mellitus with hypertension.

Methods: Sixty subjects were recruited into two groups, group 1 (diabetes mellitus with hypertension) and group 2 (diabetes mellitus) based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Both the groups underwent naturopathy and yoga intervention for ten days. The glycemic profile and heart rate variability (HRV) of the patients were assessed at the baseline and 10 days after the intervention.

Results: Study resulted in a significant change in both time domain and frequency domain variables (HRV, FBS, and PPBS) in both group 1 and group 2 (P < .05, for all) but the mean difference was more in group 2 with a significant difference between the two groups, P < .05. The diastolic blood pressure significantly decreased only in group 2, whereas the systolic blood pressure decreased in both groups without any difference between the two groups.

Conclusion: The results of the present study show that integrated yoga and naturopathy management significantly help in glycemic control and autonomic functions in both groups.