Effects of a Yoga Intervention on Helplessness and Blood Pressure Among Adult Males with Chronic Alcohol Addiction.

Abstract

Background: Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is associated with psychological distress, particularly helplessness, and elevated blood pressure. Yoga as a complementary intervention lacks robust evidence in Indian clinical settings.

Methods: This single-arm, non-randomized pretest-posttest study enrolled 34 adult males (age 21-40) with DSM-5 alcohol dependence at a government-supported de-addiction center in India. Twenty-eight completed a six-week group-based Hatha yoga intervention (five sessions/week, instructor-led; 70% asana, 20% pranayama, 10% meditation;≥85% attendance required). The primary outcome was self-reported helplessness measured by the Self-Managerial Helplessness Scale (HS-MGBR; 0-100, higher scores=greater helplessness). Secondary outcomes included systolic and diastolic blood pressure (measured with a manual sphygmomanometer, non-dominant arm). Paired-samples t-tests quantified mean pre-post changes, with analyses exploratory and no multiplicity adjustment.

Findings: Mean Helplessness Scale (HS-MGBR) scores declined from 81.2 (SD=7.8) to 75.4 (SD=7.2) [t(27)=4.93, P<.0000368]. Systolic blood pressure reduced from 133.2 (SD=6.4) mmHg to 126.4 (SD=6.7) mmHg [t(27)=6.28, P<.00000102], and diastolic from 86.7 (SD=4.6) mmHg to 81.2 (SD=4.4) mmHg [t(27)=7.02, P<.000000151], using paired t-tests. No serious intervention-related adverse events occurred.

Conclusion: The Six-week structured yoga program was associated with moderate, significant reductions in both helplessness and blood pressure among men with alcohol dependence in residential care. Yoga shows promise as a feasible adjunct to addiction treatment. Controlled studies are warranted to confirm effects.