Yoga as an adjunct therapy in elderly patients of chronic constipation

Background: Constipation being very prevalent and common complaint in elderly people, an effective measure is needed to get the relief along with drugs for constipation used by clinicians. Our aim was to search out the potential applicability and effectiveness of yoga. Methods: 30 elderly patients visiting medicine OPD for chronic constipation were included in study. Yoga group (15) was offered selected yogic practices in addition to drugs and control group drugs only. Patients kept record of drug intake on paper for 2 months of study. Data was obtained by using CAS score and frequency of drug intake. Data were analysed using t test. Results: Baseline CAS scores for the yoga and control groups were 11.92±1.59 and 12.07±1.68 respectively. Post yoga CAS score for the yoga and control groups were 3.50±1.40 and 4.14±1.5 respectively. Frequency of drug intake in yoga and control groups in first month of yoga was 17.57±2.31 and 19.14±2.38 respectively. In 4th month of yoga practice frequency of drug intake in yoga and control groups was 11.07±2.16 and 18.35±2.56, which was highly significant. Conclusions: Selected yoga practices can be used as an adjuvant therapy to treat chronic constipation in case of elderly. They can be effective in decreasing drug requirement in patients of chronic constipation. Yoga practices should be advised for patients of chronic constipation.