Effect of Integrated Yoga (IY) on psychological states and CD4 counts of HIV-1 infected Patients: A Randomized controlled pilot study

Abstract

Background:Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infected individuals frequently suffer from anxiety and depression. Depression has been associated with rapid decline in CD4 counts and worsened treatment outcomes in HIV-infected patients. Yoga has been used to reduce psychopathology and improve immunity.Aim:To study the effect of 1-month integrated yoga (IY) intervention on anxiety, depression, and CD4 counts in patients suffering from HIV-1 infection.Methods:Forty four HIV-1 infected individuals from two HIV rehabilitation centers of Manipur State of India were randomized into two groups: Yoga (n = 22; 12 males) and control (n = 22; 14 males). Yoga group received IY intervention, which included physical postures (asanas), breathing practices (pranayama), relaxation techniques, and meditation. IY sessions were given 60 min/day, 6 days a week for 1 month. Control group followed daily routine during this period. All patients were on anti-retroviral therapy (ART) and dosages were kept stable during the study. There was no significant difference in age, gender, education, CD4 counts, and ART status between the two groups. Hospital anxiety and depression scale was used to assess anxiety and depression, CD4 counts were measured by flow cytometry before and after intervention. Analysis of variance – repeated measures was applied to analyze the data using SPSS version 10.Results:Within group comparison showed a significant reduction in depression scores (F [1, 21] =4.19, P < 0.05) and non-significant reduction in anxiety scores along with non significant increment in CD4 counts in the yoga group. In the control group, there was a non-significant increase in anxiety and depression scores and reduction in CD4 counts. Between-group comparison revealed a significant reduction in depression scores (F [1, 21] =5.64, P < 0.05) and significant increase in CD4 counts (F [1, 21] =5.35, P < 0.05) in the yoga group as compared to the control.Conclusion:One month practice of IY may reduce depression and improve immunity in HIV-1 infected adults.

Yoga for COVID-19

“…[ 2 ] One month of IY in patients suffering from HIV-1 infection has reported a significant reduction in their viral load with an increase in the number of CD4 immune cells and improvement in their psychological states. [ 3 ] A study on healthy individuals doing transcendental meditation showed higher ( P < 0.01) blood levels of B-lymphocyte series as well as natural killer (NK) cells, as compared to nonmeditators. [ 4 ] Kamei et al .…”

A perspective on yoga as a preventive strategy for coronavirus disease 2019

“…[ 56 ] As mentioned above, the immunity scores (CD4 counts) of HIV patients have been reported to improve with yoga practice. [ 42 ] Overall, these studies indicate that practice of yoga might strengthen cell-mediated or mucosal immunity and could be used as a preventive measure against virus or other pathogen-mediated infections.…”

“…There is evidence for the beneficial effects of yoga as an add-on strategy for the management of communicable diseases including influenza,[ 39 40 ] tuberculosis (TB),[ 41 ] and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection,[ 42 43 44 ] wherein status of immune system is an important factor that determines the progression of the disease. The results from the Meditation or Exercise for Preventing Acute Respiratory Illness Trial (MEPARI) trial indicated that training in meditation evoked a larger reduction in global acute respiratory infection (ARI) severity as compared to exercise or the wait-list control participants.…”

“…Effect of 1 month of integrated yoga (IY) intervention has reported to significant improvement in the psychological states as well as in the viral loads in patients suffering from HIV-1 infection. [ 42 ] Further, yoga has also been reported to be an effective intervention for stress management and improvement in psychological health among HIV/AIDS patients. [ 42 43 44 ] These findings indicate toward a potential complementary role for yoga in the management of communicable diseases.…”

The Yoga for physical and mental health – Can possibly aid in prevention and management of COVID19 infection?

“…A study shows the effect of Yogic Intervention (containing loosening exercises, surya-namaskar, yogic postures, pranayama, and relaxation technique for one month) showed significant improvement in CD4 cell count compared to the control group (40). Further, a study was conducted on 200 breast cancer survivors who were randomized into two groups.…”