Y. Deepa’s research while affiliated with Tamil Nadu Dr. M.G.R. Medical University and other places

Osteoid osteoma is a benign bone-forming tumor that is, typically solitary, which makes up 10%–14% of all benign tumors and 2%–3% of all primary bone tumors. Complementary and alternative treatments, such as yoga and naturopathy (YN), have grown in popularity among patients with musculoskeletal disorders to reduce pain and other symptoms. However, there is no known study that reported its effect on osteoid osteoma. Hence, this study aimed to evaluate the effect of YN on pain, mental health, quality of sleep (QoS), and quality of life in patients with osteoid osteoma. A 25-year-old man who was diagnosed with osteoid osteoma visited our hospital on May 8, 2023, with the chief complaints of severe pain in his left leg radiating to the calf muscles and ankle joint and fungal infection on his left palm and both feet. Patients underwent comprehensive YN interventions, and assessments were taken at baseline (day 1), posttreatment (day 9), and after the follow-up period (40 days). The patient showed a better improvement in the outcomes measured, such as reduction in weight, body mass index, warmth, erythema, tenderness, and swelling; reduction in the Visual Analog Scale for pain, perceived stress scale score, and the Pittsburg Sleep Quality Index score; and increase in the Short Form-12 score. This finding suggests that YN interventions are useful in the treatment of osteoid osteoma patients in easing their pain, stress, and depression while enhancing their physical and mental wellbeing and QoS.

Objective Insomnia is characterized by difficulty falling asleep, staying sleep, or both. Aromatherapy is a commonly used complementary and alternative medicine practice by persons with insomnia. Previous studies have shown that use of chamomile oil during massage therapy improves the quality of sleep (QoS). However, to our knowledge, no randomized controlled trials have examined the effects of chamomile oil inhalation on the treatment of insomnia. The present study evaluated the effect of chamomile oil inhalation on QoS and insomnia severity in persons with insomnia. Methods A total of 80-participants ages 18-35 with insomnia were randomly allocated to aromatherapy group (AG; n = 40) or a control group (CG; n = 40). Those in the AG group received chamomile oil inhalation, while those in the CG engaged in their normal routine for 10 minutes a day, daily for 15 days. The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and Insomnia Severity Index (ISI) were administered before and after the intervention. Results Within-group analysis showed a significant reduction both in PSQI and ISI scores among those in the AG ( P < 0.001 for both scores), whereas the CG reported a significant reduction in PSQI score ( P = 0.033) and no significant changes in ISI score ( P = 0.068). The between groups analysis after the intervention demonstrated a significant reduction in PSQI and ISI scores in the AG group ( P < 0.001 for both) compared to the CG. No participant in either group reported adverse events during or after the study. Conclusion Fifteen days of chamomile oil inhalation before bedtime reduced insomnia severity and enhanced the quality of sleep for young adults suffering from insomnia. Further studies are needed to replicate the results of this study using an active control group.

Background: Hypertension (HTN) is one of the most important non-communicable risk factors that cause cardiovascular diseases. Complementary therapies including massage and aromatherapy are widely used in the management of HTN. However, studies on aromatherapy massage in HTN are limited. Thus, this study was conducted to evaluate the effect of lavender oil leg massage on physical (cardio pulmonary function), cognitive, and psychological variables of patients with HTN. Materials and methods: A parallel-group randomized controlled trial, comprising 100 HTN patients aged 44.99 ± 5.39 years who were recruited and randomly divided into the study group (SG) and control group (CG), was conducted. The SG received lavender oil leg massage, while the CG received supine rest for 20 min. Outcome variables like blood pressure (BP), pulse rate (PR), random blood sugar (RBS) level, oxygen saturation, pulmonary function, oral temperature, trail making test (TMT) A and B, and state anxiety and mindfulness were assessed before and after the intervention. Results: The within-group analysis showed a significant improvement in systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, PR, RBS, TMT-A, TMT-B, and state mindfulness both in the SG and CG. However, a significant reduction in state anxiety was observed only in the SG unlike the CG. Moreover, the between-group analysis showed a significant improvement in state mindfulness and state anxiety in the SG compared to the CG. Conclusion: The results of this study suggest that lavender oil leg massage is effective in reducing BP and RBS, and improving cognitive function in hyperten-sive patients. In addition, it is more effective in reducing anxiety and improving mindfulness than rest in supine position in patients with HTN.

A 54-year-old postmenopausal woman was diagnosed with adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACCA) of the right breast. She had complaints of pain in the upper quadrant of the right breast, stress, disturbed sleep, and depression. Her self-reported pain intensity using the visual analog scale (VAS) was 8 and her perceived stress scale value was 19. Her depression score on the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) was 12. Her quality of sleep, evaluated using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), was 18. She was given integrated naturopathy and yoga therapy for 43 days. She showed a reduction in pain, stress, and depression scores. Her quality of sleep also improved after the integrated naturopathy and yoga therapy. Our structured integrated naturopathy and yoga therapy improved pain, stress, depression, and sleep quality in a postmenopausal breast cancer patient and may be used as adjuvant therapy for patients with breast cancer.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is the infectious disease affecting many countries globally. This case study was performed to evaluate the feasibility, safety, and effect of integrated naturopathy and yoga therapies (INYT) (i.e., conventional medicine + yoga and naturopathy) on the number of hospital stay and symptom score in a patient with COVID-19. A 39-year-old married male was diagnosed with COVID-19 on March 27, 2020. During the hospital stay, the patient underwent INYT. Adherence to INYT was good and the patient did not report any serious adverse effects during the intervention period. The length of hospital stay was 11 days. Which is less than the median hospital stay observed in previous studies and the symptom score reduced from 6 (day 1) to 0 (day 6). Thus, INYT might reduce the length of the hospital stay with symptoms and active infection and also is feasible and safe in a patient with COVID-19.

Objectives Yoga is increasingly being introduced in workplace settings to improve health and well-being. However, there is a lack of studies reporting the effect of yoga in people on public service-related work, who are at high risk for various health-related problems. Thus, the objective of this study was to find the effect of yoga on cardiovascular functions and psychological (stress, anxiety, and depression) aspects of people on public service-related work. Methods A single-group pre-test and post-test experimental study design was adopted. Eighty-two participants aged 41.52 ± 7.44 years who are working in the Tamil Nadu Public Service Commission were undergone 1-h of yoga (under the supervision of a yoga & naturopathy doctor) a day, 5-days a week for a period of 1-month at their office. Cardiovascular functions such as systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), and pulse rate (PR) were measured using an automatic BP monitor. Psychological variables such as stress, anxiety, and depression were measured using Depression Anxiety and Stress Scales (DASS) before and after the intervention. Results Results of this study showed a significant reduction in body mass index, SBP, DBP, PR, mean arterial pressure, rate pressure product, and double product. Though results showed insignificant (just missed the statistical significance [p=0.056]) reduction in anxiety, it showed clinical improvement (i.e. the mean anxiety score has reduced from moderate category to mild category). However, there is neither statistically significant nor clinical difference in stress and depression. None of the participants reported any untoward events during the study period. Conclusions Results suggest that yoga might improve the cardiovascular functions and anxiety of people in public service-related work. However, no such significant improvement was noted in their stress and depression levels. However, a randomized controlled trial is required to warrant the results of this study.

Objectives Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic idiopathic inflammatory disease that affects the large bowel. The objective of this study is to find the effect of yoga and naturopathy (YN) in a patient with active moderate pancolitis. Case presentation An 18-year old unmarried female diagnosed with UC in 2017. Patient’s symptoms began with abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea with/without blood stains more than seven times a day, daily. The symptoms reduced after taking regular conventional medication for a period of one-year. However, in February-2019, the patient visited our hospital with the same complaints and received 21-days of YN treatments. Results showed a better reduction in the abdominal pain, disease activity, stress and depression and a better improvement in hemoglobin levels, quality of sleep, and quality of life with no adverse effects. Conclusions YN could be considered as an alternative therapy in the management of UC. However, further studies are required to warrant this effect.