Objectives: The aim of our study was to determine the effects of yoga on pulmonary functions in patients of COPD. Methods: Of all the patients attending the medicine OPD of Muzaffarnagar medical college and Hospital, Muzaffarnagar from November 2014 – April 2015, a total of 120 participants were recruited in the study. They were grouped and sub-grouped as under: - Group 1-YOGA group: - Subgroup 1A – 30 COPD patients practicing YOGA and taking usual medical treatment. Subgroup 1B – 30 Healthy volunteers practicing YOGA. GROUP 2- CONTROL group; Subgroup 2A:- 30 COPD patients on routine standard treatment for COPD not practicing YOGA. Subgroup 2B:- 30 healthy volunteers not practicing YOGA. Pulmonary functions testing (FEV1, FVC) and WHO quality of life questionnaire for their Quality of Life (Q. O. L.) scores were done at recruitement in the study, at 3 months follow up and at 6 months and then the data from study and control group was evaluated and compared using unpaired ‘t’test. Results: There was significant improvement in FEV1 and psychological aspect of quality of life in COPD patients practicing YOGA in the study group compared to the control group. Conclusion: The result supports the hypothesis and the research question that yoga therapy supplement with usual medical care for COPD patients is more effective than the usual medical care alone. Therefore, it is recommended that yoga therapy is safe and may be considered in COPD patients as a potential means to improve the pulmonary functions.
