Clinical Contribution Towards Management of COVID-19 Patients with Yoga and Naturopathy Intervention

We read the article by Rudra Bhandari with great interest titled “Online Yoga and Ayurveda Intervention as Tertiary Prevention of Psychological Comorbidities in COVID-19 Survivors: A Randomized Controlled Trial”. ¹ Researchers clearly highlighted the association between psychological comorbidities and COVID-19. Seventy-two patients were included for this study, and they found that online yoga and Ayurveda interventions were effective in improving depression, anxiety, and quality of life in patients with COVID-19. We would like to illustrate that these findings are very impressive and in line with our previous observations through the pilot studies conducted during the first and second wave of COVID-19. To add a special note, we would like to share our clinical experience in managing COVID-19 patients during the pandemic.

The announcement of lockdown, quarantine, social distancing, fear of losing a job, insecurities about life, loss of near ones, and financial crisis caused serious mental illness not only on affected individuals but also on unaffected family members and friends. ² The yoga and naturopathy systems of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) in India are documented to be beneficial in the effective management of COVID-19. The uniqueness of yoga and naturopathy treatment modalities, especially with respect to COVID-19 and post-COVID, lies in the fact that yoga and naturopathy treatments play a prominent role in defying the cytokine storm in a safer and effective manner. In this regard, yoga and naturopathy interventions have been delivered to the COVID positive patients since the outbreak of the first wave (March 2020) in South India. ³ Many dedicated Yoga and Naturopathy doctors attended to severe COVID-19 patients in the intensive care units and gave appropriate treatments. In addition to conventional care, they were provided with specialized yogic counselling, yoga practices such as asana (postures), pranayama (breathing practices), kriyas (cleansing procedures), and naturopathic intervention such as hot water drinking, salt water gargling, steam inhalation, and providing immune-boosting drinks at the dedicated COVID-19 care centers and hospitals. ³ Yoga and naturopathy doctors also contributed to improving public health by reaching out to the general public during the pandemic to create public awareness regarding the use of masks, the importance of salt water gargling, the necessity of sun baths, and also provided immune boosting powder. A pilot study was conducted on 130 COVID-19 patients. ⁴ The one-hour yoga protocol was formulated in such a way that it is easier to practice for all individuals. The practice of yoga includes Tadasana, Ardha kati chakrasana, Ardha chakrasana, hand stretch breathing, hands in and out breathing, Nadishodhana pranayama, and Bhramari pranayama. Yoga was given for a period of 2 weeks. Findings showed a significant reduction in anxiety and depression among COVID-19 patients. A qualitative study on the impact of yoga and naturopathy as complementary therapies in the management of COVID-19 reported that the majority of respondents found the sessions to be beneficial in improving their emotional wellbeing, ability to control and manage their emotions, and self-esteem. ⁵ They also added that their level of confidence towards a possible recovery seems to have been greatly improved after the yoga and naturopathy interventions. In another study, Bhramari pranayama intervention alone was given online to the patients with COVID-19 for a week and a significant reduction in depression and anxiety levels was found among the patients. ⁶ Many patients felt that these online pranayama sessions were feasible, able to follow the module, and easy to practice. In addition, these online sessions were helpful for them to alleviate the feeling of loneliness during the treatment period in self-isolation. Yoga and naturopathy’s outstanding role in instilling positivity and optimism in COVID-19 patients has been well documented. ⁷ Yoga and naturopathy treatments have proven to be beneficial in improving the physical, emotional, and psychological wellbeing of patients diagnosed with COVID-19. As suggested by many patients, this positive result is so promising and could possibly be used in the management of most modern psychosomatic disorders as well as a complementary therapy to conventional medicine.