Varun Malhotra.
Vinayaka Missions Medical College, University College of Medical Sciences,Salem, TN, India.
dr_varun@yahoo.com

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Abstract

Fifty six Type 2 diabetic subjects between the age group of 30-60 years were studied to see the effect of 40 days of Yoga asanas on the following parameters anthropometric, biochemical profile, pulmonary function nerve conduction velocity and electrophysiological study.
The duration of diabetes ranged from few months to 10 years. Subject suffering from cardiac, renal and proliferative retinal complications were excluded from the study Yoga asanas included Suryanamskar. Tadasan, Konasan, Padmasan Pranayam, Paschimottansan Ardhmatsyendrasan, Shavasan, Pavanmukthasan, Sarpasan and Shavasan. Subjects were called to the cardio-respiratory laboratory in the morning time and were given training by the Yoga expert.
The Yoga exercises were performed for 30-40 minutes every day for 40 days in the above sequence. The subjects were prescribed certain medicines and diet. The basal blood glucose, serum insulin, lipid profile, body mass index, malondialdehyde levels (MDA)as an index of lipid peroxidation, cardiac function, p300, nerve conduction velocity of the median nerve was measured and repeated after 40 days of Yogic regime. Another group of 50 Type 2 diabetes subjects of comparable age and severity, called the control group, were kept on prescribed medication and light physical exercises like walking. Their basal & post 40 days parameters were recorded for comparison. Blood sugars decreased significantly from 208.3 to 171.7 mg/dl. QTc interval decreased implying a sign of longevity. MDA levels decreased signifying a decrease in oxidative stress.
Serum Insulin levels normalised indicating a idecrease in insulin resistance at the molecular leve. Pulmonary function improved after pranayama in our patients.P3 component of ERP shoed a decrease in latency from 391.16 to 331.0 msec. Right hand and left hand median nerve conduction velocity increased from 52.81 2 1.1 m/sec to 53.87 2 1.1 m/sec and 52.46 2 1.0 to 54.75 2 1/1 m/sec respectively. Control group nerve function parameters deteriorated over the period of study, indicating that diabetes is a slowly progressive disease involving the nerves. Yoga asanas have a beneficial effect on glycaemic control and improve neuroendocrine function in mild to moderate Type 2 diabetes.