Title

A randomised controlled clinical trial of practicing a set of Yogasana with add on effect of Ushnambupaan and only Ushnambupaan in the management of Sthaulya.

Introduction

Obesity, or Sthaulya, is a significant public health concern worldwide, associated with various comorbidities such as diabetes, hypertension, and cardiovascular diseases. The traditional practice of Yogasana (Yoga postures) combined with Ushnambupaan (the intake of warm water) offers a natural and accessible means of managing obesity. This study aims to assess the effects of these interventions on both subjective and objective parameters in patients with Sthaulya.

Aims and Objectives

The primary objective of the study was to evaluate the efficacy of Yogasana, as outlined in the Ashtanga Yoga Primary Series, in combination with Ushnambupaan in managing obesity. The study sought to assess improvements in both subjective symptoms (such as fatigue and sweating) and objective measures (such as weight, BMI, and waist-to-hip ratio).

Materials and Methodology

The study was a randomized controlled trial conducted over 90 days, with follow-ups every 15 days. It involved 64 patients, randomly divided into two groups

Group A (Intervention Group) received both Yogasana and Ushnambupaan.

Group B (Control Group) received only Ushnambupaan.

The subjective parameters assessed included Dourgandhya (foul body odor), Dourbalya (weakness), Swedabadha (excessive sweating), Kshudhatimatra (excessive hunger), and Pipasatimatra (excessive thirst). The objective parameters included weight, BMI, waist-to-hip ratio, and neck girth. Data were analyzed using the Wilcoxon test, paired t-test, and Friedman test.

Follow-ups

Were conducted through telephonic and personal meetings. 

Observations

Group A demonstrated significant improvements in all subjective symptoms:

Dourgandhya: 75% improvement in Group A vs. 10% in Group B.

Dourbalya: 55% improvement in Group A vs. 15% in Group B.

Swedabadha: 35% improvement in Group A vs. no improvement in Group B.

Kshudhatimatra: 35% improvement in Group A vs. 5% in Group B.

Pipasatimatra: 35% improvement in Group A vs. 5% in Group B.

In terms of objective measures, Group A showed a more significant reduction in weight and BMI compared to Group B, confirming the added value of Yogasana in conjunction with warm water therapy.

Results

The results showed that the combination of Yogasana and Ushnambupaan was highly effective in reducing both subjective symptoms and objective indicators of obesity. Statistical analysis revealed significant differences between Group A and Group B in terms of improvements, with Group A showing superior outcomes across all parameters.

Discussion

The findings suggest that Yogasana enhances metabolic functions, reduces Kapha and Meda (excess fat), and improves overall physical health. The practice of Yogasana, along with warm water therapy, promoted significant improvements in the subjective well-being of patients, particularly in terms of reducing body odour, weakness, and excessive sweating. These results align with traditional Ayurvedic principles that emphasize physical activity and dietary interventions for managing obesity.

Conclusion

The study concludes that incorporating Yogasana with Ushnambupaan is an effective strategy for managing obesity. Patients in Group A experienced significant improvements in both subjective and objective measures, suggesting that this combined approach has potential as a low-cost, accessible treatment for obesity. The findings support the idea that Yogasana, as a physical exercise, can be a key component in therapeutic approaches to obesity.

References

A comprehensive list of references from Ayurvedic literature, modern clinical studies, and research papers on Yogasana, Ushnambupaan, and obesity management will be included in the next section. These references support the discussion and conclusions drawn from the study.