A Comparative Study on Oxygen Saturation, Breath Rate, Lung Parameters, Anxiety and Depression Level in Geriatric Population

Background: Ageing has been associated with multiple medical conditions mainly due to impaired immune mechanisms and deteriorating physiological reserves such as declining physical health, increased risk for mental and emotional problems, economic constraints, changing roles and changing lifestyles. Chronic psychological and physical illnesses among geriatrics were studied univocally. Hence present study aimed to compare the effect of yoga techniques and conventional exercises.

Methods: 40 subjects participated in the form of group therapy based on the selection criteria. Yoga group received yogic Relaxation and pranayama (10 min each) and exercise group received supine rest and diaphragmatic breathing (10 min each) for four days per weeks continued for three months. Outcome measures were evaluated before the intervention and after three months of participation.

Results: The Oxygen saturation in yoga group were 96.4±1.39 and 97.05±1.19, and in exercise group 96.7±1.45 and 97.7± 0.73 in pre and post assessment. The breath rates in yoga group were reduced to an average of 19.1 and 19.65 in exercise group after 3 months. The mean vital capacity (L/min), FEV1 (mL/sec), FVC (L/min) in yoga group after 3 months were 1.72 ± 0.2, 1.53 ± 0.17 and 1.47 ± 0.1 and in exercise group were 0.72 ± 0.13, 0.70 ± 0.13 and 0.69 ± 0.13 after the intervention. The mean anxiety and depression measured with HADS were 8.9 ± 0.8 & 7.45 ± 0.75 and 9.0 ± 0.72 & 7.9 ± 0.8 pre and post respectively in Yoga Group & Exercise Group.

Conclusion: Yogic relaxation and pranayama is equally effective in supine rest and diaphragmatic breathing in improving oxygen saturation, breath rate, lung parameters and anxiety and depression in geriatrics.