Effect of Sudarshan Kriya Yoga on anxiety, depression, and quality of life in people with type 2 diabetes: A pilot study in Kuwait

Abstract

Aim: This pilot study in Kuwait was aimed to assess the effect of Sudarshan kriya yoga (SKY) on anxiety, depression and total quality of life in people with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).

Methods: 26 T2DM patients aged greater than 30, male and female visiting the outpatient clinic of Dasman Diabetes Institute were enrolled for the study. Pre and post 5 day SKY intervention responses of participants on psychosocial problems were evaluated using four questionnaires (Hamilton anxiety, patient health questionnaire (PHQ-9), Hospital anxiety depression and WHO total quality of life (QOL). Biochemical parameters; such as lipid profile, glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) were measured at baseline and after 15 weeks of SKY practice.

Results: The mean age of the participants was 56.7 (±11.4 SD) years, and mean duration of diabetes 15.0 (±9.3 SD) years. Comparison of responses before and after intervention indicated a significant improvement in the QOL, depression, anxiety and insomnia. But no significant improvement in glycemic control.

Conclusion: Results indicate that SKY can be potentially beneficial for treating anxiety, insomnia, and depression associated in people with T2DM and in improving the quality of life in people with T2DM.

Keywords: Anxiety; Depression; Quality of life; SKY; T2DM; Yoga.