Assessing the Impact of Structured Yoga Interventions on Health-Related Quality of Life in COVID-19 Adult Survivors

Abstract

"Framework: The World Health Organisation defines quality of life (QOL) as “an individual’s perception of their position in life, considering the cultural and value systems they are part of, in conjunction with their goals, expectations, standards, and concerns.” Standard indicators for quality-of-life include factors such as wealth, employment, environmental conditions, physical and mental health, education, and leisure, with numerous elements that affect quality of life. However, health-related quality of life (HQOL) is closely related to various dimensions of quality of life. Health is considered the fundamental step toward fulfilling life, as good health facilitates achieving other life goals. During the COVID-19 pandemic, there were movement restrictions, people were in quarantine and Yoga (YOG) has gained worldwide recognition as a key health intervention, with substantial evidence supporting its effectiveness in improving quality of life. Method of research work: Eighty participants of both the genders (34 male & 46 female proportion 0.425 & 0.575) with median and interquartile range of male and female were 26(Q1; Q3, 24 to 28) and 25(Q1; Q3, 23 to 27) subsequently were chosen for this study using a simple random sampling method. Data collection was carried out using the World Health Organisation Quality of Life (WHOQOL-BREF) questionnaire, administered toparticipants both before and after undergoing specific interventions. Participants participated in designated yogic practices for duration of two months. The results of the pre- and post-intervention assessments were compiled, recorded and organised into tables to evaluate the impact of the yoga interventions. The study exclusion threshold was set at 10 %.
Outcomes: Following a 60-day yoga intervention involving selected yoga practices, final test data was collected and analysed at a significance level (α) across all WHOQOL dimensions on day 60. The average score for the physical domain of quality of life was recorded as 99.6 before the intervention and 101.8 afterward (P = < .001). Within the psychological domain, the mean scores were 75.5 initially and 77.7 after the intervention (P = < .001). The social relations domain showed mean scores of 42.20 before and 43.33 after the intervention (P = < .001). The environmental domain was measured with mean scores of 90.5 and 91.8, respectively (P = < .001). Overall, the mean quality of life was calculated at 308 before and 315 after the intervention (P = < .001). Interpretation: In fact, an increase in the average value indicates an improved quality of life. Statistical evidence shows a significant difference in overall quality due to specific yogic practices. Consequently, such practices can be recommended as an integrative, alternative, or complementary medicine to improve quality of life after CoViD-19 treatment."