HEMATOLOGICAL, BIOCHEMICAL AND PSYCHOLOGICAL EFFECTS OF A YOGA TRAINING PROGRAMME IN NURSING STUDENTS

Abstract

We were granted the opportunity to impart a 6 month comprehensive course of yoga training for nursing students. The aim of this study was to analyse the effects of the training on the participants´ health and quality of life (QoL) Materials and Methods: 60 healthy nursing students (12 M, 48 F) aged 18.60 ± 0.67 (SD) y were recruited, and 60 min of yoga training was given twice weekly, for 6 months. Selected biochemical and hematological parameters were recorded along with Ferrans and Powers QoL index before and after the training period. QoL was also tested at mid term. Because we were not able to establish a separate control group, we correlated changes with the subjects´ frequency of attendance.Results: Postintervention statistical analysis (repeated measures of ANOVA) revealed highly significant and beneficial changes in most hematological and biochemical parameters. Major findings are enhanced bone marrow function, reduced allergic tendency, alkalization of urine, metabolic reconditioning (with special emphasis on liver function) and improvement in all QoL indices. These changes correlated positively with the subjects´ frequency of attendance, as evidenced by Pearson‟s linear correlation testing. There were also significant improvements in QoL index and its subscales, both at mid training and post training. These improvements also correlated positively with attendance. Conclusion: The present study provides evidence of the beneficial psychological and physical effects of yoga training amongst graduate nursing course students . We suggest that yoga be made an integral part of medical and paramedical collegiate education.