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Effect of Yoga Program on Quality of Life in Adolescent Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome: A Randomized Control Trial

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Abstract

Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) is a common female endocrine disorder challenging feminine identity which is likely to impact their quality of life. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of yoga on PCOS specific quality of life in adolescent girls with PCOS. Ninety adolescent (15–18 years) girls from a residential college in Andhra Pradesh, who satisfied the Rotterdam criteria, were randomized into two groups. The yoga group (n = 37) practiced a holistic yoga module while the control group (n = 35) practiced a matching set of physical exercises (1 h/day, for 12 weeks). PCOS specific quality of life was measured at inclusion and after 12 weeks. Mann-Whitney on difference score showed that the changes in all domains were significantly different between the two groups (p < 0.05) except for infertility (p = 0.675). Wilcoxn signed ranks test showed yoga group observed greater improvement in emotional disturbances (effect size; Y:1.52, E: 0.72), body hair (effect size; Y: 1.02, E: 0.32), weight (effect size; Y: 0.96, E: 0.33) and menstrual problem (effect size; Y: 1.24, E: 0.64) domain as compared to the exercise group. Yoga program for 12 weeks is significantly better than physical exercise in improving PCOS quality of life in adolescent girls with PCOS.

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Acknowledgements

We are thankful to the Central Council for Research in Yoga and Naturopathy (C. C.R.Y.N.), ministry of health, Government of India, New Delhi for funding this project.

We would like to place on record our gratitude for the support provided by the Vice Chancellor, SVYASA University. We gratefully acknowledge the co-operation of the staff and administration of Sri Sai College in recruiting the students and carrying out the study.

Declaration

NR contributed to conception and design, or acquisition of data, or analysis and interpretation of data; PV have been involved in conception and revising the manuscript critically for important intellectual content; RN contributed to conception, design and revising the manuscript and AR have contributed to design, acquisition of data and analysis and all the authors have given final approval of the version to be published.

Ethical Approval

The study was approved by the Institutional Ethical Committee of Swami Vivekananda Yoga Anusandhana Samsthana (SVYASA) University (vide project # SVYASA0012/08).

Conflict of Interest

It is declared that none of the authors involved in this study have any conflict of interest and that all authors of this article have contributed to their fullest capacities.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Yoga and Life Sciences, SVYASA University, #19, Eknath Bhavan, Gavipuram Cirlce Kempegowdanagar, Bangalore, 560 019, India

    Ram Nidhi, Venkatram Padmalatha, Raghuram Nagarathna & Ram Amritanshu

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  1. Ram Nidhi
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  2. Venkatram Padmalatha
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  3. Raghuram Nagarathna
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  4. Ram Amritanshu
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Correspondence to Ram Nidhi.

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Funding Agency

Central Council for Research in Yoga and Naturopathy (C.C.R.Y.N.), ministry of health, Government of India, New Delhi.

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Nidhi, R., Padmalatha, V., Nagarathna, R. et al. Effect of Yoga Program on Quality of Life in Adolescent Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome: A Randomized Control Trial. Applied Research Quality Life 8, 373–383 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11482-012-9191-9

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