4. Conclusion
The main aim of this study was to analyse the effects of yoga
practice on essential arterial hypertension patients in order to
continue research into any possible benefits of these techniques
when applied at the beginning and during the evolution of this
pathology. Another aim was to investigate the influence of yoga
practices on the risk and protective factors involved as well as to
potentiate the application of yoga for health benefits and specifically in the treatment of cardiovascular disorders and to thus offer
an alternative to traditional pharmacological treatments.
The results of this study substantiate the main hypothesis that
the use of an integrative yoga programme can positively influence
essential arterial hypertension; this is demonstrated by the
observed decrease in systolic and diastolic blood pressure and in
heart rate, as also found in other studies[24,25].
From session 20 onwards, the means of post-session systolic
blood pressure measurements fell below the pre-session means,
and the means of post-session heart rate measurements were always below the pre-session means. These results can be interpreted
as an improvement of the cardiovascular response to the practice of
physical exercise, specifically to the practice of yoga techniques.
This partially (since in the study at hand the diastolic blood pressure values had not restored in the post-session measurement)
confirms the results obtained in other studies [10]. Due to the
significance of this effect, it is recommended to conduct a wider
study in order to corroborate these results.
The statistically significant decrease in the scores for anxiety in
the study group confirms the results obtained by Singh and Telles,
who also observed a decrease in anxiety and heart rate in hypertension and diabetes patients after application of a yoga programme[26].
The participants of the study at hand experienced a statistically
significant decrease in negative affect after the yoga programme,
confirming the results obtained in the study of Narasimhan,
Nagarathna and Nagendra[27]. Although initially an increase in
positive affect was expected, a significant decrease was observed in
the post-test scores. This result could be due to the fact that the
application of a yoga programme has a balancing effect on the affects (positive and negative), as yoga practice is oriented towards
the development of equanimity and towards the capacity to accept
life events in a balanced and objective way and not be affected by
success and failure
A statistically significant decrease was observed in the degree of
stress after the yoga programme, which was also observed in the
study of Melville, Chang, Colagiuri et al., in which yoga practice was
combined with meditation[29].
A no statistically significant decrease was observed in the
depression scores and a no statistically significant increase was
observed in the relaxation states.
In order to consolidate these positive effects, it is important for
the participants in these yoga practice programmes to incorporate
the practices in their daily lives. Careful planning is recommended
to promote adherence to the practice by providing clear instructions regarding exercises, frequency, conditions under which
to apply the exercises, etc. In the course of the programme,
emphasis was placed on the importance of practising the techniques that had been used in the programme step by step and
specific exercises were suggested for the home. In addition, a table
of practical exercises was provided to help patients continue after
the treatment. However, it would be advisable to follow up on the
participants to assess their adherence to the treatment.
Most of the studies on application of yoga techniques to improve
health and, more specifically, arterial hypertension, concentrate on
analysing the effects of the practice of body positions (asanas),
yogic respiration and/or relaxation. In the study at hand, the aim
was to go further and apply a complete programme of yoga techniques (positions, kriyas, yogic breathing, recitation of mantras,
relaxation and meditation), as well as practices of attention and
development of consciousness directed to daily life, because we
understand yoga as an integrative practice which is aimed at
achieving a state of wellbeing and physical, mental and spiritual
balance. This practice involves working on the body and the mind,
on the life style and on attitudes which the patient must develop
and that are based on acceptance of responsibility and commitment
to his or her own wellbeing. An appropriate practice of yoga techniques is oriented towards generating deep and lasting changes
which ultimately improve and maintain the general health state. It
is recommended to follow up on the participants in order to assess
whether the obtained results persist and whether the duration of
the programme in this study is sufficient to achieve lasting changes
in attitudes and life style or whether, on the contrary, a longer
lasting intervention is necessary. Furthermore, even though a significant change was confirmed by the physiological measurements
of systolic and diastolic blood pressure and heart rate in the study
group, when analysing the data of the individual measurements
differences were observed in the responses to the treatment; hence
it would be interesting to study whether all participants can benefit
from yoga practice, either with a longer lasting treatment or a more
personalised programme, or if, on the contrary, there are patients
who are not sensitive toward this kind of treatment.
The study at hand on the application of yoga as a technique for
coping with stress, practising physical exercise and leading a
healthy life style suggests the need for a more in-depth investigation into the therapeutic application of these techniques, not only
for the treatment of essential arterial hypertension disorders, but
also for the treatment of other pathologies related to stress and life
style habits. It would also be interesting to explore, in a more
specific study, which yoga practices are more effective for certain
disorders compared to the application of the complete programme;
in this way an assessment could be made of the viability of the
different interventions.
Disclosure statement
There is nofinancial conflict of interest.
Conflict of interest statement
None declared.