Yoga as a complementary and alternative therapy for cardiopulmonary functions

Abstract

Complementary and alternatiASve therapy is a rapidly growing area in the biomedical sciences, in which Yoga therapy has arisen at the frontlines of holistic medical care and is perceived as a form of mind-body practise because of its long history of connecting physical, mental, and spiritual well-being with the coalescence of physical postures (asana), breathing exercises (pranayama), and meditation (dhyana). This study aims to review the emerging evidence assessing the physiologic and clinical effects of Yoga on cardiopulmonary functions. The authors searched the PubMed (Medline) and Science Direct databases and the Google Scholar search engine, as well as a reference list of related articles, for literature related to the effect of yoga on pulmonary function, cardiovascular function, and cardiopulmonary functions from 2000 to 2021. Yoga has been shown to have favorable effects on the various parameters of cardiovascular and pulmonary functions. Yoga has emerged as a beneficial lifestyle intervention that can be incorporated into cardiovascular and pulmonary disease management methods. Although numerous researchers have reported the clinical benefits of Yoga in reducing cardiopulmonary-related events, morbidity, and mortality, the evidence supporting these conclusions is somewhat limited, thereby stressing the requirement for large, well-designed randomised trials that limit bias and methodological drawbacks.

Keywords

• cardiopulmonary functions
• cardiovascular function
• complementary medicine
• lung functions
• yoga therapy