Effects of a Yoga Intervention on Helplessness and Blood Pressure Among Adult Males with Chronic Alcohol Addiction

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Department of Yogic Sciences, Lakshmibai National Institute of Physical Education, Gwalior, India

2 School of Indology, Dev Sanskriti Vishwavidyalaya (DSVV), Haridwar, Uttarakhand, India

10.34172/ahj.1721

Abstract

Background: Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is associated with psychological distress, particularly helplessness, and elevated blood pressure. Yoga as a complementary intervention lacks robust evidence in Indian clinical settings.
Methods: This single-arm, non-randomized pretest–posttest study enrolled 34 adult males (age 21–40) with DSM-5 alcohol dependence at a government-supported de-addiction center in India. Twenty-eight completed a six-week group-based Hatha yoga intervention (five sessions/week, instructor-led; 70% asana, 20% pranayama, 10% meditation; ≥ 85% attendance required). The primary outcome was self-reported helplessness measured by the Self-Managerial Helplessness Scale (HS-MGBR; 0–100, higher scores = greater helplessness). Secondary outcomes included systolic and diastolic blood pressure (measured with a manual sphygmomanometer, non-dominant arm). Paired-samples 𝑡-tests quantified mean pre–post changes, with analyses exploratory and no multiplicity adjustment.
Findings: Mean Helplessness Scale (HS-MGBR) scores declined from 81.2 (SD = 7.8) to 75.4 (SD = 7.2) [𝑡(27) = 4.93, P < .0000368]. Systolic blood pressure reduced from 133.2 (SD = 6.4) mmHg to 126.4 (SD = 6.7) mmHg [𝑡(27) = 6.28, P < .00000102], and diastolic from 86.7 (SD = 4.6) mmHg to 81.2 (SD = 4.4) mmHg [𝑡(27) = 7.02, P < .000000151], using paired t-tests. No serious intervention-related adverse events occurred.
Conclusion: The Six-week structured yoga program was associated with moderate, significant reductions in both helplessness and blood pressure among men with alcohol dependence in residential care. Yoga shows promise as a feasible adjunct to addiction treatment. Controlled studies are warranted to confirm effects.

Highlights

Nikhil Sharma(Google Scholar)(Pubmed)

Keywords

References

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Addiction & Health
Volume 17
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