The researchers measured improvements in quality of life using the World Health Organization’s Quality of Life Questionnaire, which uses 26 questions to evaluate quality of life in four aspects: physical, psychological, social and environmental health. Participants completed questionnaires at enrollment as well as at 24-week and 48-week follow-up.
According to the researchers, the study showed that participants in the yoga group improved their stamina, strength, balance, symptom stability, and quality of life. They also observed that while patients improved physically and psychologically, there was no improvement in social and environmental health.
Echocardiographic parameters showed no significant differences between the two groups at baseline. Better biventricular systolic function was observed in the interventional (yoga) group compared to the non-interventional group at six and 12 months follow-up. The interventional group also showed substantial improvement in functional outcomes as assessed by the NHYA classification.
“This study proves that adding yoga therapy to the standard medical management of heart failure improves left ventricular systolic function and quality of life in heart failure patients,” Singh said.
“Therefore, yoga therapy over guideline-guided optimal medical therapy may improve physical well-being and left ventricular function among heart failure patients.”