Effect of yogasanas on glycaemic, haemodynamic and lipid profile in newly diagnosed subjects with type 2 diabetes

This study was designed to evaluate the effect of yogasanas on glycaemic control, haemodynamic and lipid profile in newly diagnosed subjects with type 2 diabetes prescribed with oral hypoglycaemic agents (OHA). Three hundred and three (M:F 199: 104) subjects were recruited in this prospective study and were divided into two groups. Group 1 (N=149) were prescribed OHA alone, while group 2 subjects (N=154) were prescribed OHA and received training individually once for regular yoga practice for 30 min daily. Baseline data on anthropometric, haemodynamic and biochemical details were collected, and subjects were asked to report for review after 3 months. All investigations were repeated after 3 months. A total of 241 subjects were available for follow-up. Diabetes treatment regimen was unchanged in both the groups during the study period. Both the groups were matched with respect to body mass index (BMI), glycaemic level, lipid profile and diet calorie consumption at baseline. BMI did not differ significantly at follow-up in both the groups. Glucose levels and HbA1c % showed greater reduction in group 2 practising yoga. Total and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol alone improved in group 1, whereas improvement was seen in all lipid parameters in group 2. High-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol was not statistically significant in both groups. Group 1 showed improvement in systolic blood pressure (P=0.027), whereas group 2 subjects showed improvement in both systolic and diastolic blood pressures (P<0.0001). In conclusion, regular practice of yoga along with conventional medicines could be beneficial for better control of diabetes.