Effectiveness of Combined Yoga Therapy and Ayurvedic Intervention in the Multidimensional Management of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: A Comparative Controlled Study

Author(s): Rahul, Dr. Pavitra Devi

Abstract:

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a progressive respiratory disorder characterized by airflow limitation, reduced functional endurance, psychological distress, and diminished quality of life. While conventional pharmacological management primarily focuses on bronchodilation and inflammation control, it often fails to address the multidimensional aspects of disease burden. Integrative therapeutic approaches combining mind–body interventions and lifestyle-based management may provide additional benefit. The present study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of Yoga Therapy and Ayurvedic intervention, individually and in combination, as adjunctive modalities in COPD management. A controlled comparative study was conducted involving patients diagnosed with mild to moderate COPD. Participants were allocated into four groups: (1) Conventional treatment only, (2) Yoga Therapy with conventional treatment, (3) Ayurvedic intervention with conventional treatment, and (4) Combined Yoga and Ayurvedic intervention with conventional treatment. The intervention period extended over a structured duration under supervised conditions. Outcome measures included pulmonary function parameters (FEV1, FVC, PEFR), functional endurance assessed through the Six-Minute Walk Test (6MWT), psychological status measured using standardized anxiety and stress scales, and health-related quality-of-life indices. Pre- and post-intervention assessments were compared using appropriate statistical analyses, including paired t-tests and one-way ANOVA. Effect size estimation was performed to determine magnitude of change. All groups were statistically comparable at baseline. The conventional treatment group demonstrated limited improvement across parameters. The Yoga Therapy group showed significant enhancement in pulmonary function and functional endurance, along with reduction in anxiety levels. The Ayurvedic intervention group exhibited moderate improvement in physiological parameters and significant improvement in quality-of-life scores. The combined intervention group demonstrated the most substantial and consistent improvement across all measured domains, with moderate-to-large effect sizes observed for pulmonary function, endurance capacity, and psychological stability. Between-group analysis revealed statistically significant superiority of the combined intervention compared to conventional treatment alone (p < 0.05). The findings indicate that integrative therapy combining Yoga-based respiratory training and Ayurvedic lifestyle management produces superior multidimensional outcomes in COPD patients compared to isolated or conventional approaches. Incorporation of structured mind–body and lifestyle-based interventions into pulmonary rehabilitation programs may enhance clinical effectiveness and patient-centered care in chronic respiratory disease management.

Keywords: Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease; Yoga Therapy; Ayurveda; Integrative Medicine; Pulmonary Rehabilitation; Functional Endurance; Quality of Life; Mind–Body Intervention

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