Materials and Method

Transcription

1 Materials and Method Eighty patients of diabetes mellitus were selected from Ballia district on the basis of accidental sampling and divided into four groups of 20 subjects each. The duration of experimentation was 60 days. All the subjects were advised to subsist on normal diet and to continue their medication as per the prescription of their consulting physician throughout the experimentation. Reduction in their medication was made only after consultation with their physicians. Assistance of a physician was also taken for observation of patients conditions during experimentation. Group 1 Performed following practices of Shatkarma- 1. Laghu Shankha Prakshalana, once a week in the morning (Gherand Samhita 1/17), 2. Agnisar, rounds daily in the morning (Gherand Samhita 1/19). Group 2 Performed following practices of Pranayama- 1. Sheetali Pranayama, minutes daily in the morning (Gherand Samhita 5/74), 2. Bhramari Pranayama, minutes daily in the morning (Satyanand, 2002). Group 3 Performed Yoga Nidra 40 minutes daily (Satyanand, 1976). Group 4 Included controls that did not perform any yogic practice. All the subjects were monitored for the following parameters before the start of experimentation (Day 1), in the middle of experimentation (Day 30) and at the end of experimentation (Day 60).

2 Dependent Variables:- a. Physical parameters 1. Body weight( measured by weighing machine) 2. Hip and waist circumference ( measured by measuring tape) b. Physiological parameters 1. Serum glucose level (fasting and post prandial) ( measured by glucometer) 2. Haemoglobin ( measured by haemometer, Sahili Method) 3. Blood pressure ( measured with a sphygmomanometer and stethoscope) 4. Pulse rate ( measured manually) 5. Dependence on medication c. Psychological parameters 1. Anxiety (measured by questionnaire) (Sinha and Sinha, 1999) 2. Stress (measured by questionnaire) (Kaur et al., 2008) Independent variables: Independent variables included certain Shatkarma, Pranayama and Yoga Nidra. The techniques of these practices are discussed below- Group 1 a. Laghu Shankha-Prakshalana: Preparation: The subjects were advised to take a light and semi-liquid meal the night before undertaking this practice. Plenty of clean, lukewarm water was made

3 available in the morning and also extra hot water in case of temperature of the water falls below body temperature. Added 2 tea spoons of salt per liter to the water, so that it was mildly salty. A special food (khichdi) of good quality with white rice, pulse (preferably mung dal), and ghee (clarified butter), was prepared, and offered to the subjects after 45 minutes rest period following the practice and again later in the day. No asana or physical work was allowed to perform before commencing the practice and no food or beverages was provided. Subjects were made to wear light and comfortable clothing. Intestinal Wash: Subjects were made to drink two glasses of warm salty water as quickly as possible and perform the following five asanas dynamically, eight times each in the correct sequence. 1. Tadasana (fig.1) 2. Tiryak tadasana (fig. 2) 3. Kati chakrasana (fig. 3) 4. Tiryak bhujangasana (fig. 4) 5. Udarakarshanasana (fig. 5) This was one complete round. No rest was allowed between rounds. Now the subjects were made to drink two more glasses of warm salty water and again repeat the five asanas eight times each. The process was repeated for a third and last time. Now the patients were asked to go the toilet but advised not to strain, whether there was a bowel movement or not. Either immediately, or after some time, the patient s bowel and rectum was evacuated completely.

4 On completion of the practice, patients were asked to rest for half an hour before taking any food or drink. They were made to lie down in savasana for 30 minutes, but not allowed to sleep to avoid a headache or cold. It is important to keep patients warm and silent during this resting period. During this time the whole digestive system was given a chance to revitalise itself. Passing urine at this time was perfectly normal. Exactly 45 minutes after completing Laghu Shankha Prakshalana, the specially prepared food, Khichedi was provided to patients. Eating this meal at the correct time was essential. The rhythm of body becomes temporarily disturbed during the practice. However, 45 minutes after completion of the practice the digestive organs resume their function. The three components of Khichedi are helpful in restoration of correct digestive functions. The clarified butter is necessary to coat the intestinal walls until the body produces new lining. The rice provides a simple easily digestible packing material in the form of the carbohydrate and creates mucus which also protects the inner lining of the alimentary canal. The lentils supplement the diet by giving the body easily digestible source of protein and make for an all-round nutritious meal. A sufficient quantity of Khichdi must be eaten to reline the intestine and keep the walls of the gut stretched, otherwise they may cramp due to the absence of the bulk to which they are accustomed. This bulk not only maintains the tone but aids the intestine to resume peristalsis. It is also important in order to prevent indigestion, diarrhoea or constipation. b. Agnisar (fig.6):- Preparatory practice:

5 Patients were asked to sit in vajrasana and separate their knees as far as possible, keeping the big toes in contact with each other. They placed their hands on knees and closed the eyes, to let their bodies relax for a few minutes, especially the abdomen. Now straightened the arch and leaned forward slightly. Kept the head erect and the mouth wide open and extended the tongue out side. They breathed in a panting manner through the mouth with the tongue extended. Contracted and expanded the abdomen rapidly, synchronizing the movement with the breath. While breathing out the abdomen should contract and while breathing in the abdomen should expand. The breathing should be passive, only occurring because the movement of abdomen is being accentuated. It should resemble the panting of a dog. Chest was kept as still as possible avoiding strains. Breathing was done in and out 10 to 20 times. This was one round. Patients relaxed and breathed normally before starting the next round. Agnisar kriya was practiced in the same position or in Padmasana. They breathed in deeply, exhaled, emptying the lungs as much as possible, leaned forward slightly, and straightening the elbows. Now pushing down on the knees with the hands performed the jalandhara bandha. Contracting and expanding the abdominal muscles rapidly for as long as possible patients held the breath outside comfortably without strain. Now releasing the jalandhara bandha, with the head upright, patients took in slow, deep breathe. Patients now relaxed until the breathing normalized, before commencing the next round. Group 2 a. Sheetali Pranayama (fig. 7):- Patients started with deep breathing practice in sitting position (Padmasana) in any cross legged position in which the body relaxed and spine was erect. Then

6 they started inhaling through mouth by rolling the tongue, making sure that the air passing was cooled via tongue. Initially 4 seconds of inhaling through mouth while rolling the tongue and exhaling for 6 seconds through both nostrils was practiced for about 15 minutes. b. Bhramari Pranayama (fig. 8):- Patients were made to sit up straight in a quiet, well ventilated room with eyes closed and a gentle smile on face. Placed their index fingers on cartilage between their cheek and ear. Taking a deep breath in and out, gently pressing the cartilage, patients made a loud humming sound like a bee. Group 3 Yoga Nidra (fig. 9):- The patients were made to lie in shavasana and be as comfortable as possible. Feet were kept apart and flopped little sideways, arms close to the body with palms upwards. They were set to realize that Yoga Nidra is the act of hearing and the act of feeling. They were instructed to resolve that they will attain perfect health. After that they were made to rotate their consciousness through the different centres of the body as quickly as possible. They were also said to repeat mentally the name of each part and simultaneously become aware of that part. The rotation of consciousness took place in following order. Right hand, left hand, right leg, left leg, head, back, thorax, abdomen. Then they were instructed to draw their awareness to the incoming and outgoing breathe and feel breathe along the passage between the navel and throat. The next part of practice was visualization. They were made to visualize the golden light coming from solar plexus to the pancreas. They were made aware of their pancreas against the back wall of their abdomen. They were made to see the pancreas as an ocean of brilliant blue and islets of Langerhans as green islands.

7 Now the routine practice of the psychological induction of pancreas, a highly advantageous therapy was performed. Analysis of data Data were analyzed online by t-test ( and mean and standard deviation ( statistics/standarddeviation.php).

8 Fig. 1 L.S.P. Pose 1 (Tadasana)

9 Fig. 2 L.S.P. Pose 2 (Tiryak Tadasana)

10 Fig. 3 L.S.P. Pose 3 (Kati Chakarasana)

11 Fig. 4 L.S.P. Pose 4 (Tiryak Bhujangasana)

12 Fig. 5 L.S.P. Pose 5 (Udarakarshanasana)

13 Fig. 6 Agnisar Kriya

14 Fig. 7 Sheetali Pranayama

15 Fig. 8 Bhramari Pranayama

16 Fig. 9 Yoga Nidra