No full-text available
To read the full-text of this research,
you can request a copy directly from the authors.
The Effect of Hatha, Pranayama, and Raja yoga on the Feeling of Fatigue of Women Suffering from Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
Abstract
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is one of the most significant diseases that change people's lives and causes many side effects for the patients. Fatigue is one of the most common symptoms reported in those who are suffering from MS. This study aims to investigate the effect of Hatha, Pranayama, and Raja yoga techniques on the feeling of fatigue in women suffering from MS. This research is a clinical trialed study, conducted on 60 MS patients in Kohgilooyeh and Boyrahmad province in 2009. The method for collecting data was a questionnaire including the demographical information of the patients as well as the Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS). Patients were randomly divided into two control and study groups, each having 30 members. The fatigue of both groups was assessed before intermediation. The study group was treated with eight 1-1.5-hour sessions per month, for three months while no intermediation was done on the control group. The patients' fatigue was assessed again 12 weeks after beginning yoga techniques and one month after finishing with the techniques. Patients' fatigue was assessing again and compared with one another. The collected data was analyzed using descriptive statistics tests, paired t-test, independent t-test, and variance analysis with repeated measurement. The average age of the samples was 31.6 ± 8 and the range of age was between 18 and 45. Among the people in the samples, 42 people (70%) were married and 18 people (30%) were single. 44 people (73.3%) had high school education, 16people (26.6%) had university education. The majority of them (63.3%) were housewives. Concerning the effect of yoga techniques on the feeling of fatigue in the patients, the results gained from statistical tests indicated that there was not a significant difference in the amount of fatigue in the control group and the study group before the intervention, while this difference became significant after the intervention (p<0.05).Doing yoga techniques decreases the amount of fatigue in the patients suffering from MS who took part in this study. Therefore, due to their low cost, accessibility, and rapid learning of these techniques, teaching and recommending them to MS infected patients could be effective in regard to improving their situation. [Nooryan kh, Najafi sh, Mohebi Nobandegani Z. The Effect of Hatha, Pranayama, and Raja yoga on the Feeling of Fatigue of Women Suffering from Multiple Sclerosis (MS). Journal of American Science 2012;8(2):251-254]. Introduction: Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is among the chronic and disabling diseases that is the cause of many disabilities in the young and old people (1). Based on the conducted estimations, there 2.5 people in the world who are suffering from this disease (2). In recent years, MS has become even more common in the world and in Iran (3). In spite of the different cures for this disease, it is still considered one of the most disabling diseases that affect different aspects of the individuals' life and thus affects the quality of life of the patients (4). MS is one of the most severe diseases in regard to changing people's life (5). It brings about many complications for those infected and fatigue is among the most common of the reported complications (6). More than 90% of those affected with MS, experience fatigue in a way that it inhibits the usual daily activities, performance, and quality of life of the patients (7). In fact, the feeling of fatigue related to MS is an abnormal general lack of energy that significantly limits the physical and mental capability of the patients and decreases the energy and causes an unpleasant feeling, weakness in motion, and problems in concentration (8). Different combined medical and non-medical therapies are usually used in order to treat the fatigue in MS patients. Yoga and aerobics exercises are among the non-medical recommended techniques that are in need of further investigation (9). Yoga means the unity and coordination of body and soul, or in other words the control of thought-waves. Yoga is generally based on three principles of doing subtle postures (hathayoga) breathing exercises or absorbing life force using yoga breathing (pranayama), and concentration and control of the mind through meditation (raja yoga). Doing
ResearchGate has not been able to resolve any citations for this publication.
Fatigue is a common symptom in multiple sclerosis (MS). As fatigue includes a variety of aspects, its treatment is best approached
in a multidisciplinary fashion that includes nonpharmacological interventions and medications. In individuals with mild fatigue
non-pharmacological treatment including yoga, aerobic exercises, cooling therapy and energy conservation techniques might
be considered. Several pharmacological treatments for patients with significant fatigue have proved to be effective. Among
these agents, amantadine and aminopyridines are the most frequently used. More recently also aspirin and carnitine have been
used to treat MS fatigue but they need to be confirmed in larger studies.
To investigate the effects of aerobic and strength exercise on motor fatigue of knee flexor and extensor muscles in subjects with multiple sclerosis (MS).
A randomized controlled trial.
At Masku Neurological Rehabilitation Centre, Masku, and the Social Insurance Institution, Research Department, Turku, Finland.
Ninety-five MS patients with mild to moderate disability were randomized into exercise group (n =47) and a control group (n =48).
Participants in the exercise group attended in a supervised exercise period of three weeks, which was followed by a home exercise programme lasting for 23 weeks. Patients in the control group continued with their normal living.
Motor fatigue of knee flexor and extensor muscles was measured during a static 30-s maximal sustained muscle contraction. The decline in force (Nm) during the 30 s was recorded, and a fatigue index (FI) was calculated. Subjective fatigue was measured by using the Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS). The Ambulatory Fatigue Index (AFI) was calculated on the basis of a 500-m walking test. Assessment took place at baseline, at the third week (not for the control group) and at the 26th week. All outcome variables were analysed, men and women together, and some interesting contrasts were analysed by gender.
Associations were observed with changes in extension FI and Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) score and mean extension torque (Nm), but not with changes in FI and aerobic or strength exercise activity, mean AFI, mean FSS or in mean knee flexion torque. AFI was decreased in all subject groups (p =0.007). Motor fatigue was reduced in knee flexion (p=0.0014) and extension (ns) among female but not in male exercisers after six months of exercise. The exercise activity of women was 25% higher than that of the men.
Six months of exercise reduced motor fatigue in women, but not in men.
The effects of three different procedures, relaxation, visualization and yogic breathing and stretch (pranayama) on perceptions of physical and mental energy and on positive and negative mood states have been assessed in a group of normal volunteers (N = 71, age range 21-76). Pranayama produced a significantly greater increase in perceptions of mental and physical energy and feelings of alertness and enthusiasm than the other two procedures (P < 0.5). Relaxation made subjects significantly more sleepy and sluggish immediately after the session than pranayama (P < 0.05). Visualization made them more sluggish but less content than pranayama (P < 0.05) and more upset than relaxation after the second session (P < 0.05). Thus, a 30 min programme of yogic stretch and breathing exercises which is simple to learn and which can be practised even by the elderly had a markedly 'invigorating' effect on perceptions of both mental and physical energy and increased high positive mood. A more extensive investigation is planned to establish whether such a programme can readily be incorporated into everyday life, and with what long-term results.
As long as no causal treatment is available for multiple sclerosis (MS), and as long as only some patients with MS respond to immunomodulators, symptomatic treatment is of paramount importance. Fatigue is the most common symptom of MS and is associated with a reduced quality of life. It is described as the worst symptom of their disease by 50–60% of patients.
The first step in managing MS-related fatigue is identifying and eliminating any secondary causes. Primary fatigue syndrome can be alleviated with drug treatment in many cases. Modafinil has been shown to be effective in some studies, and amantadine is an alternative for patients who do not respond to or cannot tolerate modafinil. The nonpharmacological management of fatigue in MS includes inpatient rehabilitation and aerobic endurance exercise.
This article describes the pathophysiology, diagnosis and treatment of MS-related fatigue —the most common symptom of MS.
Even if the definition and pathophysiology of fatigue in multiple sclerosis (MS) are still debated, and despite the scarcity of objective markers correlated with the subjective sensation of fatigue, a review of the literature shows the importance of its detection and management, and allows one to propose therapeutic strategies. Fatigue is not only the most frequently reported symptom in MS, but also a frequent source of activity and participation limitations, psychological distress, and impairment of quality of life. Its management, which must be initiated early, is based on a comprehensive evaluation of its characteristics and consequences (sometimes with the use of scales such as the Fatigue Severity Scale and the Modified Fatigue Impact Scale), and on the identification of many potential contributing factors (psychological disorders, sleep disturbances, pain, infections and other comorbidities, medications, and deconditioning). Rehabilitative interventions are essential to the treatment of fatigue. Beyond the traditional energy conservation strategies and cooling techniques, several randomized controlled studies have demonstrated the positive impact of aerobic exercise. Medications are partially beneficial, and with the exception of amantadine, their efficacy has not been confirmed by randomized double-blind trials.