Impact Of Yoga On Quality Of Life Among Female IBS Patients Of Jaipur: A Randomized Controlled Study

Background: Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), a prevalent gastrointestinal disorder, significantly impacts quality of life and mental well-being, particularly in women.Yoga, a holistic mind-body intervention, has gained recognition for its potential to alleviate both physical symptoms and associated psychological stress.Objective: This randomized controlled study evaluates the impact of yoga on quality of life and anxiety levels among female IBS patients in Jaipur, India.Methods: A total of 195 female IBS patients were recruited and randomly assigned to either a 12-week yoga intervention group (n = 97) or a control group (n = 98).The yoga program included asanas, pranayama, and mindfulness practices tailored to IBS management.Primary outcomes included IBS-Quality of Life (IBS-QOL) scores and anxiety levels measured by Sinha's Comprehensive Anxiety Test (SCAT).Data were analyzed using repeated measures ANOVA.Results: Significant improvements were observed in all eight dimensions of IBS-QOL in the yoga group compared to controls at week 12 (p < 0.001).Anxiety levels in the yoga group reduced by 65.59% from baseline (p < 0.001), while no significant changes were observed in the control group. Conclusion:The study demonstrates that yoga significantly improves quality of life and reduces anxiety among female IBS patients.The findings suggest that yoga can serve as an effective, non-pharmacological adjunctive therapy for managing IBS symptoms and associated psychological distress.