Effect of Yoga-based breathing practices on depression, anxiety, stress, and fear of COVID-19 positive hospitalized patients: A randomized controlled trial
Date
2024
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Elsevier
Abstract
Background: COVID-19 infection has an impact on the mental state of patients and requires attention to mental
health care.
Objective: The aim of this study is to assess the effect of Yoga-based breathing practices on the mental state of
patients with COVID-19.
Material and methods: A randomized controlled trial was conducted with63 patients (male=46) who were RT-PCR
positive for COVID-19 and hospitalized with asymptomatic (RT-PCR positive but no symptoms), mild (febrile,
body ache, pharyngitis, nonproductive cough), and moderate (SpO2< 92%) symptoms assigned in the yoga
(n=32) and control group (n=31). The study was conducted at Atharva Multispecialty Hospital and Research
Center, North India. The yoga group received Yoga-based breathing practices twice a day for ten days in addition
to conventional care, and the control group was advised not to do the practice. The Depression Anxiety and Stress
scale (DASS-21) and fear of COVID-19 were assessed at baseline and after 10 days. Repeated measures ANOVA
with Bonferroni correction was used to assess between and within subjects’ effects.
Results: The experimental group had better scores for depression, anxiety, stress, total DASS scores, and fear of
COVID-19 (p<0.001) when compared with the control group. Within the group, analyses demonstrated improved
scores in all domains in the yoga group (p<0.001) by the end of the intervention. In contrast, the control group
improved only in stress scores (p=0.002), total DASS scores (p=0.012), and fear of COVID-19 (p=0.039). There
are no adverse effects seen with Yoga-based breathing practices in these patients.
Conclusion: Yoga-based breathing practices have been found to have positive impact on mental health among
COVID-19-positive patients during hospitalization.
Description
Keywords
Yoga, Breathing practices, Stress, COVID-19, Randomized controlled trial