THE EFFECTS OF YOGA ON INSOMNIA PATIENTS AMONG URBAN POPULATION -CHENNAI- A QUASI-EXPERIMENTAL STUDY

Abstract

Background: Insomnia is a highly prevalent condition among the elderly as well as people above 40years of age. 
Insomnia can affect health (both mental and physical), day-to-day life activities, quality of daily life and in general, 
it affects overall wellbeing of life. Poor sleep quality could be because of physical and psychological stress, age
related physiological changes, chronic comorbidities, and lifestyle changes. Consumption of medications is the 
most commonly used treatment, but it can lead to dependency and have many adverse effects. Therefore, as an 
interventional method that is non-pharmacological and cost-effective, yoga has gained significant attention among 
insomnia patients. Yoga has been shown to reduce anxiety and physiologic arousal through a multidimensional 
practice consisting of specific postures, breathing exercises and a philosophical attitude[1] 
Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of a structured yoga intervention in improving sleep quality and reducing 
insomnia and related symptoms among elderly individuals in an urban population 
Methodology: A Pre and Post interventional assessment conducted to a study group of 60 elderly people with 
sleep related complaints. A total of 3 months of intervention of yoga were given and sleep parameters were 
assessed using a set of standardised questions.  
Results: This study validated a considerable improvement of sleep parameters after the intervention. The finding 
of the data indicates a persistent reduction in mean scores of the data and a p value <0.05 for a set of sleep 
variables. Thus, the study reflects a notable advancement in sleep quality and a decrease in insomnia-related 
symptoms after the intervention. 
Conclusion: The study implies that yoga is an effective, possible and low-cost intervention for enhancing sleep 
quality among individuals above 40 years old. It considerably improves overall well-being by improving sleep 
disturbances. So it can be used as a maintainable approach in community health care initiatives for insomnia
related issues.