Effect of integrated Yoga and Physical therapy on audiovisual reaction time, anxiety and depression in patients with chronic multiple sclerosis: a pilot study

Shivaji Chobe; Hemant Bhargav; Nagarathna Raghuram; Christoph Garner

doi:10.1515/jcim-2015-0105

Article

Effect of integrated Yoga and Physical therapy on audiovisual reaction time, anxiety and depression in patients with chronic multiple sclerosis: a pilot study

Shivaji Chobe , Hemant Bhargav , Nagarathna Raghuram and Christoph Garner

Published/Copyright: June 23, 2016

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From the journal Journal of Complementary and Integrative Medicine Volume 13 Issue 3

Abstract

Background: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is characterized by a significant deterioration in auditory and visual reaction times along with associated depression and anxiety. Yoga and Physical therapy (PT) interventions have been found to enhance recovery from these problems in various neuropsychiatric illnesses, but sufficient evidence is lacking in chronic MS population. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of integrated Yoga and Physical therapy (IYP) on audiovisual reaction times, depression and anxiety in patients suffering from chronic MS.

Methods: From a neuro-rehabilitation center in Germany, 11 patients (six females) suffering from MS for 19±7.4 years were recruited. Subjects were in the age range of 55.45±10.02 years and had Extended Disability Status Scores (EDSS) below 7. All the subjects received mind–body intervention of integrated Yoga and Physical therapy (IYP) for 3 weeks. The intervention was given in a residential setup. Patients followed a routine involving Yogic physical postures, pranayama, and meditations along with various Physical therapy (PT) techniques for 21 days, 5 days a week, 5 h/day. They were assessed before and after intervention for changes in audiovisual reaction times (using Brain Fit Model No. OT 400), anxiety, and depression [using Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS)]. Data was analyzed using paired samples test.

Results: There was significant improvement in visual reaction time (p=0.01), depression (p=0.04), and anxiety (p=0.02) scores at the end of 3 weeks as compared to the baseline. Auditory reaction time showed reduction with borderline statistical significance (p=0.058).

Conclusions: This pilot project suggests utility of IYP intervention for improving audiovisual reaction times and psychological health in chronic MS patients. In future, randomized controlled trials with larger sample size should be performed to confirm these findings.

Keywords: anxiety; depression; multiple sclerosis; Physical therapy; reaction time; Yoga

Acknowledgments

The authors are thankful to the subjects who participated in the study.

Author contributions: All the authors have accepted responsibility for the entire content of this submitted manuscript and approved submission.

Research funding: Authors are thankful to KWA Klinik Stift Rottal Bad Griesbach, Germany, for their support for conducting this study.

Employment or leadership: None declared.

Honorarium: None declared.

Competing interests: The funding organization(s) played no role in the study design; in the collection, analysis, and interpretation of data; in the writing of the report; or in the decision to submit the report for publication.

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Received: 2015-11-26

Accepted: 2016-5-1

Published Online: 2016-6-23

Published in Print: 2016-9-1

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Articles in the same Issue

https://doi.org/10.1515/jcim-2015-0105

Keywords for this article

anxiety; depression; multiple sclerosis; Physical therapy; reaction time; Yoga