Abstract

To study the role of yoga in physical wellbeing and COVID antibody production in COVID vaccine recipients. Material and Methods: The study was conducted on 186 patients, who were randomly allocated to either Group A (Study group or Yoga group) or Group B (control group) for the purpose of the study. Out of them, a fairly large number of patients (176 patients) completed the study. While in Group A (patients undergoing yoga therapy along with dietary restrictions), out of 93 patients who were enrolled, 89 patients (95%) completed 6 months follow up and the rest were lost to follow up; in the Group B (patients on dietary restrictions only), out of 93 patients, 87 patients (91%) completed 6 months follow up, and the rest were lost to follow up. The patients were followed thoroughly and at the end of three months they were measured again for WHOQOL-BREF score, COVID antibody titres, routine investigations along with Blood Pressure and other parameters. Results: The difference in mean COVID antibody titres between - Yoga Participants (Study Group) and Non- Yoga Participants (Control Group) one and three month after vaccination is significant (p value= 0.003), and, it is higher in Yoga participants group. Also WHOQOL-BREF is higher in Yoga participants group than in non-Yoga participants group, one and three month after vaccination. Conclusion: From the present study, we found that Yoga therapy is beneficial in increased production of COVID antibodies and overall sense of physical wellbeing assessed using WHOQOL-BREF score. Yoga did not have significant effect in reducing the side effects of COVID vaccination, however, practicing yoga can significantly increase the tolerance of side effects, i.e. those who practice yoga tolerate the side effects better

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