Research: OSWAL and COLLEAGUES,

Listed in Issue 211

Abstract

OSWAL and COLLEAGUES, Division of Yoga and Life-Sciences, Swami Vivekananda Yoga Research Foundation (SVYASA) , Bengaluru, India studied the effect of the add-on yogic prana energization technique (YPET) on healing of fresh fractures.

Background

Methodology

Thirty (30) patients (22 men and 8 women) between 18 and 55 years with simple extra-articular fractures of long and short bones were selected from the outpatient department of Ebnezar Orthopaedic Centre and Parimala Speciality Hospital, Bengaluru. They were randomized into yoga (n = 15) and control (n = 15) groups. Compound, complicated, pathologic fractures, old fractures, and those associated with dislocations were excluded. Both groups received the conventional plaster of Paris immobilization of the fracture site as the primary treatment. The yoga group, in addition, practised YPET twice a day (30 minutes/session) for 2 weeks using taped audio instructions after learning under supervision for 1 week. YPET is an advanced yoga relaxation practice that involves breath regulation, chanting, and visualization, which according to yogic science revitalizes the tissues by activating the subtle energies (prana) within the body. Both the groups were assessed on the 1st and 21st day by the Numerical Pain Rating Scale for pain (NRS), tenderness (0-4), swelling (0-4), fracture line density (1-4), and the bridging of cortices (1-4).

Results

Two (2) groups were matched on all variables. The Wilcoxon test showed significant improvement in both groups on all variables. Pain reduction (NRS) was better (p = 0.001 Mann-Whitney test) in the YPET group (94.5%) than in the control group (58.6%); Tenderness reduced (p = 0.001) better in the YPET group (94.4 %) than in the control group (69.12%); Swelling reduced by 93% in the YPET group and by 69.4% in controls (between-groups p = 0.093, i.e., nonsignificant); increase in fracture line density was better (p = 0.001) in the YPET group (48%) than in the control group (18.25%). The number of cortices united was significantly better (p = 0.001) in the YPET group (81.4%) than in controls (39.7 %).

Conclusion

Add-on yoga-based YPET accelerates fracture healing.

References

Oswal P, Nagarathna R, Ebnezar J and Nagendra HR. The effect of add-on yogic prana energization technique (YPET) on healing of fresh fractures: a randomized control study. Source Journal of Alternative & Complementary Medicine. 17(3):253-8. Mar 2011.

Comment

The study of healing effects upon bone fractures - pain reduction, tenderness, swelling and number of cortices united - using the above yoga advanced energy techniques provides a most concrete measure to assess its therapeutic effects compared to the control group. This research needs to be replicated with larger number of participants.

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