Comparative Study of Yogic Practices and Insp...

Comparative Study of Yogic Practices and Inspiratory Muscle Training on Quality of Life in Asthma Patients

Author Name : Prof Dr. CK Senthil Kumar, Prof Pallav Bhatnagar, Dr. Jeba Chitra

ABSTRACT Asthma is a chronic respiratory condition that significantly impairs quality of life through recurring symptoms such as wheezing, breathlessness, and chest tightness. This study investigates the comparative effectiveness of two non-pharmacological interventions—Yogic Practices and Inspiratory Muscle Training (IMT)—on improving the quality of life in asthma patients. The Yogic Practices intervention includes pranayama, asanas, and meditation, aimed at enhancing respiratory function and psychological well-being. The IMT focuses on strengthening the respiratory muscles, particularly the diaphragm and intercostal muscles, through targeted exercises. Both interventions were assessed using the Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire (AQLQ) and St. George's Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ), alongside functional capacity tests like the Incremental Shuttle Walking Test (ISWT) and Six-Minute Walk Test (6MWT). The findings indicate that while both interventions improve quality of life, IMT shows slightly better outcomes in enhancing respiratory function and sustaining these benefits over time.