Integrated Yoga and Naturopathy Interventions to Modify Functional Disability in Patients With Spinal Cord Injury: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the use of integrated yoga and naturopathy intervention to modify functional disability and improve independence in patients with spinal cord injury. Materials and methods: In this randomized controlled trial, 48 spinal cord injury patients receiving residential rehabilitation, aged between 23 and 57 years (37.9±11.8) of both genders, were randomly allocated to two groups: (i) experimental group (naturopathy and yoga) and (ii) control group (waitlist with routine care). Subjects were assessed on day 1 (baseline), day 30 (intense phase), and day 90 (follow-up). Assessments were done using the Spinal Cord Independence Measure (SCIM), handheld myometry (HHM), time up and go (TUG), Berg Balance Scale (BBS), and 10-meter walk test (10MWT). Results: There were no significant differences at baseline between groups for all the variables ( p >0.05) through one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA). Repeated measures ANOVAs (RM-ANOVAs) were performed to compare between assessments and the groups ( p <0.05). Post hoc shows that there is significant SCIM ( p <0.001), HHM ( p <0.001), TUG ( p <0.001), BBS ( p <0.001), and 10MWT ( p <0.001). Conclusion: The present study shows that there is significant improvement in the functions of both yoga and naturopathy and the control group. So, yoga and naturopathy can be considered as adjuvant along with routine care of physical therapy in spinal cord injury rehabilitation programs.