Coronavirus: Study finds Ayurveda and yoga effective in treating high risk COVID-19 patients

Yogic and Ayurvedic experts have time and again spoken about the many benefits of yoga and Ayurveda. At a time when diseases and illnesses have become so common and so widespread, we must work towards healing our body and mind, which is what the two practices are widely known for.

According to a recent study by the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Delhi and Dev Sanskriti Vishwavidyalaya, Haridwar, yoga and Ayurveda may be effective in the treatment of high-risk cases of COVID-19.

Also read: Long term cognitive decline common in older COVID survivors: Study

The study, published in the Indian Journal of Traditional Knowledge, boasts of the successful treatment of 30 high-risk COVID-19 patients. Apart from the standard care treatment for COVID-19, yoga and Ayurveda are said to have played an active role in relieving the patients from anxiety and helping them recover sooner.

"The study also demonstrates an urgent need to scientifically examine the traditional Indian knowledge systems at the top academic institutions. A timely and suitably designed randomized controlled trial evaluating the efficacy of ayurveda and yoga based personalized integrative treatment for COVID-19 would have equipped the people with much more credible and dependable information about their use in managing COVID-19," said Rahul Garg of IIT-Delhi who conceptualized the project.

As per the study authors, almost all the patients were classified as high-risk owing to one or more of co- morbidities such as Diabetes Mellitus, Hypertension, Chronic Kidney Disease, Coronary Artery Disease (which are known to lead to severe outcomes in cases of COVID-19), and/or age above 60.

The treatment included Ayurvedic medicines, daily yoga-sessions including deep relaxation techniques, pranayama and basic asanas and some lifestyle modifications.

"Based on the administered treatment, the cases were categorized into YAS (Yoga-Ayurveda based treatment, with possibly allopathic Supplements: 4 patients), YASP (Yoga-Ayurveda based treatment, with possibly allopathic Supplements and Paracetamol: 6 patients), YAM (Yoga-Ayurveda based treatment, and Modern Western Medicine (MWM), i.e., allopathy as adjunct: 6 patients), MYA (first tried MWM, later switched to Yoga-Ayurveda: 14 patients)," as per the researchers.

"The treatment given to the patients was personalized (in accordance with the classical texts) and took account of each patient's medical history and the symptoms presented, which made it more effective as compared to a fixed standardized treatment plan," Garg explained.

According to the IIT, the patients, most of whom presented with many symptoms prior to the Yoga and Ayurveda treatment, were followed-up telephonically regularly until recovery.

"More than half of symptomatic patients started improving within 5 days (90% within 9 days); more than 60% reported at least 90% recovery within 10 days. Six patients with oxygen saturation (SpO2) below 95%, benefited through Makarasana and Shithilasana; none progressed to composite endpoints (consisting of admission to Intensive Care Unit, invasive ventilation or death). Considering that approximately 19.3% of the patients with these comorbidities progress to composite end points, the p-value was found to be 7.21 x 10−3," they shared.

"By the end of the treatment, several patients had decided to adopt yoga in their lifestyle, and several turned to the ayurveda doctors in the team for management and treatment of their comorbidities," said Sonika Thakral, a scholar at IIT Delhi, who coordinated with the patients for routine follow-up.

“On the whole, the belief of the patients in the efficacy of these traditional systems of medicine was extremely enhanced," said Dr. Alka Mishra who administered Ayurveda treatment to some patients. “We are observing an increasing trend towards ancient systems of medicine”, said Dr. Yogesh Kumar who also administered Ayurveda treatment to some patients.

"The said interventions are believed to have collectively accelerated the recovery process by checking anxiety, instilling peace of mind and enhancing the overall well-being of the patients,” said Dr. Sumitra A. Bentur, private practitioner, who designed the Yoga intervention and conducted Yoga sessions for some of the patients.