A clinical study to evaluate the efficacy of Yogasana and Pranayama in Geriatric Healthcare

Introduction: With the global aging population, there is an increasing need for effective healthcare interventions that enhance the physical and mental well-being of older adults. To achieve a long, healthy life, both Ayurveda and Yoga Shastra place a strong emphasis on delaying the onset of Jara. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of Yogasana and Pranayama in improving health outcomes among geriatric participants. In the present study 40 elderly participants aged 60 and above were recruited and assigned to the intervention of Yogasana and Pranayam. Methods: A specific yoga protocol designed and modified for this population was administered for 45 minutes, twice a day for 12 weeks. Primary functional outcome measures included the body weight, BMI & Elderly mobility scale score. All participants completed questionnaires for subjective criteria. Guiding questions were used for qualitative data analysis to ascertain how yoga participants feel improvement after intervention of yoga therapy and the impact of yoga on their life. Results: Qualitative Data was analyzed using wilcoxon paired test to examine differences between before and after the intervention. Quantitative data were analyzed through paired T Test. The intervention group exhibited statistically significant improvements in physical function. Discussion: The findings indicate that Yogasana and Pranayama are effective non-pharmacological interventions for improving both physical and mental health in the geriatric population, These results support the integration of Yoga practices into geriatric healthcare strategies to promote holistic well-being. Also, the impact on body weight and BMI could be considered as important outcomes for further study. Future studies should focus on long-term effects and implementation in clinical settings.