Effect of Pranayama Yoga on Symptoms, Fatigue and Respiratory Parameters in Individuals with COPD

<bold>Objective:</bold> This study was conducted to examine the effects of pranayama yoga practices on symptoms, fatigue and respiratory parameters in individuals with COPD. <bold>Materials and Methods:</bold> Group B COPD patients according to the GOLD classification and 66 COPD patients with stage I and stage II according to FEV1 values were included in the study. Randomization was made among the 66 COPD patients included in the study, and the patients were divided into two groups: study group 33 (16 Stage I and 17 Stage II) and control group 33 (16 Stage I and 17 Stage II). The patients inthe study group were taught pranayama yoga and underwent paranayama yoga for 21 days and were evaluated. No intervention was applied to the patients in the control group. <bold>Results:</bold> In this study, it was found that there were significant changes in the study group that practiced pranayama yoga every day for 21 days. According to the findings, it was determined that pranayama yoga reduced the symptom level and fatigue level of COPD stage I and stage II patients, but this decrease rate was higher in stage I patients. In addition, pranayama yoga improves the respiratory parameters of COPD stage I and stage II patients, FVC(L), FEV1(L), FEV1/FVC(%), PEF(L/s), FEF25-75(L/s) and VC(L). It was determined that the amount of this increase was greater in stage I patients. No improvement was seen in the control groups. <bold>Conclusion:</bold> Inthis study, pranayama yoga is recommended to be applied as an additional treatment method to medical treatment in individuals with COPD, as it reduces symptom severity and fatigue level, relaxes respiratory muscles and increases lung capacity.