Role of yoga therapy in improving digestive health and quality of sleep in an elderly population: A randomized controlled trial

Introduction Constipation and sleep disturbances commonly affect elderly population results in compromised physical and mental health. Mind-body interventions like yoga not only address the mental and physical health but also promote healthy ageing. This study evaluates the effect of 3 months yoga intervention on the sleep and constipation related quality of life (QoL) among the elderly. Materials and methods Ninety six participants aged between 60 and 75 who did not had any history of yoga practice for past 1 year and having a zubrod score of 0–2 were randomized in to yoga (n = 48) or waitlisted control (n = 48). The yoga group received yoga interventions at a frequency of 3 sessions per week for 3 months. Pittsburg Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and Patient Assessment of Constipation QoL (PAC-QOL) were used to assess the improvement. Intention to treat analysis method was used to include the drop-out participants. Results Eighty one participants (Yoga = 48, waitlisted control = 33) completed the study. Wilcoxon's sign rank test has shown that the yoga group had statistically significant changes in most of the parameters in PSQI and PAC-QOL (P ≤ 0.05). Mann Whitney test revealed that yoga group has better improvement in the sleep quality and constipation related QOL (P ≤ 0.05) compared to the controls. Discussion The results signify yoga can ease old age related issues like constipation and insomnia. This is encouraging for inclusion of yoga as a daily practice regimen to improve the constipation and sleep related quality of life in elderly population.