Impact of yoga on pulmonary functions in clinical population: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs)

This study aims to investigate the impact of yoga practice on pulmonary and respiratory functions in clinical populations. A thorough search was carried out in the Cochrane Library, PubMed, Science Direct databases, and Google Scholar, using the keywords “Yog∗” and “pulmonary functions”, covering the period from January 2010 to December 2022. Studies that aligned with PRISMA recommendations were included. The Cochrane risk-assessment tool was employed to assess bias risk. We calculated weighted mean differences (WMDs) with 95 % confidence intervals (CIs) and used the I² test to assess heterogeneity. Initially, 529 studies were found through the search, with 10 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) involving 1007 patients meeting the inclusion criteria for quality assessment and meta-analysis. The results indicated that yoga intervention (YI) significantly improved FVC% (WMD: 3.03 L, 95 % CI: 1.71, 4.35, P < 0.00001), FEV1 (WMD: 0.47 L, 95 % CI: 0.43, 0.51, P < 0.00001), and FEV1% (WMD: 5.74 L, 95 % CI: 4.47, 7.01, P < 0.00001) when compared to control groups. However, no significant effect was observed on FVC (WMD: 0.23 L, CI: 0.16, 0.62. P = 0.25), PEFR (WMD: 0.49, CI: 0.70, 1.67, P = 0.42), MVV (WMD: 9.01, CI: 3.92, 21.94, P = 0.17), and FEV1/FVC (WMD: 3.17, CI: 1.15, 7.48, P = 0.15) as a result of YI. Based on the limited evidence and meta-analysis conducted, YI demonstrated a positive effect on pulmonary function in clinical populations and could be considered as an adjunct therapy for individuals with various respiratory diseases. Further rigorous research with larger sample sizes is necessary to confirm the long-term benefits of yoga.