Combined effect of yoga and naturopathy in uncomplicated varicose vein disease - a prospective randomized controlled trial

Shweta Chauhan; Sanjib Patra; Shailendra Pratap Singh; Jitendra D Lakhani

doi:10.1016/j.jaim.2023.100718

Combined effect of yoga and naturopathy in uncomplicated varicose vein disease - a prospective randomized controlled trial

J Ayurveda Integr Med. 2023 May-Jun;14(3):100718. doi: 10.1016/j.jaim.2023.100718. Epub 2023 Jun 23.

Authors

Shweta Chauhan¹, Sanjib Patra², Shailendra Pratap Singh³, Jitendra D Lakhani⁴

Affiliations

¹ Division of Yoga and Life Sciences, Swami Vivekananda Yoga Anusandhana Samsthana, Swami Vivekananda Road, Kalluballu Post, Anekal, Jigani, Bangalore 560105, Karnataka, India.
² Central University of Rajasthan, NH-8, Bandar Sindri, Dist, Ajmer 305817, Rajasthan, India. Electronic address: sanjib.patra@curaj.ac.in.
³ Central University of Rajasthan, NH-8, Bandar Sindri, Dist, Ajmer 305817, Rajasthan, India.
⁴ Smt.B.K.Shah Medical Institute and Research Center and Dhiraj Hospital, Piparia, Dist., Vadodara, Gujarat, India.

Abstract

Background: Though the treatment of uncomplicated varicose vein (UVV) might prevent late complications such as skin change or ulceration, but, there are limited studies available to justify this concept. Yoga and Naturopathy being a proficient tool in managing non communicable diseases including many cardiovascular diseases; no attempt was made to study its potential effect in Varicose Vein diseases.

Objective: The present study aims to study the combination of Yoga and Naturopathy in uncomplicated varicose vein patients.

Materials and methods: 50 UVV participants were prospectively recruited and randomly divided into two groups, Experimental and Active control groups. Both the groups practiced their respective interventions, and follow up was done after 1 and 3 months of active intervention. Finally study was completed with 46 participants (2 dropouts in each groups). The sample size was calculated based on the previous study, considering power as 0.8 and 'α' as 0.05, using 'G' power software. The variables such as Body weight, BMI, Systolic blood pressure (SBP), Diastolic blood pressure (DBP), Heart rate (HR), high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), homocysteine (HCy) were recorded before and after the intervention, but Aberdeen Varicose Vein Questionnaire (AVVQ) and Visual analogue heaviness scale (VAHS) were recorded on 60 and 120 days of the follow up in addition to active intervention period.

Results: There was a significant decrease in hs-CRP (p < 0.05) in the experimental group as compared to the control group. Body weight, BMI, SBP, HR, hs-CRP, HCy (p < 0.001) and DBP (p < 0.05) significantly decreases following the Combined Yoga and Naturopathy (CYN) intervention for a month in the experimental group. Also, the AVVQ (p < 0.01) and VAHS (p < 0.05) decreases following active intervention and two consecutive follow up. No adverse event was noted during or after the trial.

Conclusion: The combined effect of Yoga and Naturopathy reduced blood pressure and inflammatory markers suggestive of potential of recovery in inflammation in the endothelial tissue of the microvascular system in UVV patients.

Trial registry number: CTRI/2018/10/015895; Clinical Trials Registry- India; www.ctri.nic.in.

Keywords: Homocysteine; Naturopathy; Uncomplicated varicose vein; Yoga; hs-CRP.