Keywords
Pranayama
Meditation
Substance Abuse
Stress
Autonomic Balance
Vagus Nerve
Rehabilitation
How to Cite
Abstract
Background: Substance use disorders are associated with dysregulation of stress-related and metabolic biomarkers, including serum cortisol, C-reactive protein (CRP), and fasting blood glucose (FBG). Yoga, Pranayama, and Meditation (YPM) may influence these physiological parameters; however, evidence in rehabilitation settings remains limited.
Aim: To evaluate the effect of a 12-week YPM intervention on serum cortisol, CRP, and FBG among individuals undergoing inpatient rehabilitation for substance use disorders.
Methods: A quasi-experimental study was conducted with 60 male participants aged 18–50 years in a licensed rehabilitation centre. Participants were allocated to an experimental group (n = 30) receiving daily YPM sessions alongside routine rehabilitation care, or a control group (n = 30) receiving routine care only. Venous blood samples were collected at baseline and post-intervention. Serum cortisol (µg/dL), CRP (mg/L), and FBG (mg/dL) were measured and analysed using paired and independent sample t-tests. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05.
Results: After 12 weeks, the experimental group showed significant reductions in serum cortisol (p < 0.01), CRP (p < 0.01), and FBG (p < 0.05), whereas no significant changes were observed in the control group. Between-group comparisons indicated significantly greater improvement in all three biomarkers in the experimental group.
Conclusion: A structured 12-week YPM program as an adjunct to routine rehabilitation care was associated with significant improvements in stress-related and metabolic biomarkers among individuals undergoing substance use rehabilitation. These findings are limited to the parameters assessed in this study.
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