PRACTICE OF YOGA IN PATIENTS WITH DIABETIC PERIPHERAL NEUROPATHY ATTENDING A TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL IN NORTHERN INDIA: IMPLICATIONS DURING CORONAVIRUS DISEASE-19 PANDEMIC

Objective: The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of yoga practice in patients with Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy (DPN) and to compare its acceptance among patients with chronic diseases other than DPN practicing non-yoga physical activities. Methods: A pre-formed structured questionnaire-based cross-sectional study was conducted with a total of 98 out of 240 patients screened recruited during face to face structured interview, with a diagnosis of DPN. Data on the socio-demographics, age, duration of disease, glycemic controls (hemoglobin A1C [HBA1C] levels), and pain scores, numbness, and physical activity and other comorbid illnesses were collected. Results: A total of 248 pre-diagnosed diabetic patients were screened; 98 study subjects (M: F=66:32) were enrolled with a mean age found to be 55.28 years. As diagnosed clinically and electrophysiologically, the prevalence of peripheral neuropathy was found to be 39.51%. The mean pain score was 3.27. Risk factors for peripheral neuropathy included male sex, advanced age, higher body mass index (%), higher HbA1C (n=67.34%), having a sedentary lifestyle (38.77%), overweight (43, 44.89%), and obesity (21, 21.42%) and <40% belong to the diabetes of duration group of more than 10 years. A total of 16, male: 9 and female: 5 (22.85%) out of 70 subjects were using yoga as physical activity in peripheral neuropathy group and of the control group (non-peripheral neuropathy group), only 8 (25%) out of 25 were doing yoga. The overall proportions were compared using Chi-square, results were non-significant with p=−0.49; Chi-square statistic −0.47. Conclusion: This implies that those with DPN are as likely to accept yoga as a physical activity compared to patients with other chronic illnesses practicing non-yoga physical activities.