International Journal of Yoga, Physiotherapy and Physical Education

Authors
Joshi Dhanashri, Sarode V, Ketkar V, Kowale A, Aundhakar N

Abstract
Objective: To study the effect of 12 weeks of yoga programme on cardiac autonomic functions and psychological parameters in subjects of premenstrual syndrome (PMS). Method: This is randomised control study and was approved by Institutional Ethics Committee. Age and BMI matched sixty diagnosed cases of PMS were randomized into two groups: study group (n=30) who practiced yoga and control group (n=30) was without yoga intervention. Following parameters were recorded in both pre and postmenstrual phase at baseline and after 12 weeks: Resting Heart Rate, Resting blood Pressure, parasympathetic reactivity tests, sympathetic reactivity tests and psychological parameters (depression, anxiety and stress). Paired t-test and unpaired t-test were used for statistical analysis. Results: At baseline there was significantly higher sympathetic activity, blunting of parasympathetic activity and increase in negative affect of psychological health in premenstrual phase as compared to postmenstrual phase in subjects with PMS. After 12 weeks, study group (with yoga intervention) during premenstrual phase showed significant decrease in resting heart rate, resting SBP (p-value 0.025, 0.001 respectively) significant rise parasympathetic reactivity as measured by E:I and 30:15 ratio (p-value <0.001, <0.001 respectively), significant fall in sympathetic activity as measured by cold pressor test (p value < 0.001) and fall in negative affect of psychological health (p-value 0.049) as compared to control group (which was without yoga intervention). Conclusion: Regular practice of yoga has beneficial effects on premenstrual symptoms by achieving balance between parasympathetic and sympathetic activity. YOGA can be considered as therapeutic intervention for PMS.