A Study on Influence of Yoga on Balance and Gait Deficits among Alcoholics

Back ground: Alcoholism is the biggest burden to the health and socioeconomic development of the world. The social welfare system and the criminal justice system, often the first to come into contact with alcohol-related problems, can be sensitized in identifying and assisting individuals and families at risk for heavy drinking and acting as early referral systems. Extensive opportunities exist to lessen alcohol problems through community education and the prevention of drunk driving, domestic violence, public disorder, unintentional injuries and criminal damage. To manage withdrawal symptoms, gait and balance, drugs have been used abundantly. Yoga is an easily available and cost effective tool to manage these symptoms.

Materials and methods: A total of sixty alcoholic dependent individuals has been selected from two different de-addiction camps and were recruited for this study after satisfying the inclusion and exclusion criteria and by using an AUDIT questionnaire for the screening of the subjects. The first group comprised of a yoga intervention and the second remained to be the control. Subjects in both the groups were matched to their age group. Subjects in the yoga group practiced yoga for a period of 10 days. While the control group carried on its routine activities. Both the groups were assessed for balance, gait and withdrawal symptoms at baseline and following 10 days.

Results: The yoga group showed significant improvement in the balance (p<0.006), gait (p<0.029) and vomiting (p<0.001).T test and non-parametric study (Wilkinson’s test) was used to compare with the control group.

Interpretation and conclusion: Ten days of yoga practice has shown to bring a positive influence in alcoholic dependent individuals as signified by reduced vomiting symptom and improved gait and balance. Further studies are warranted to observe the withdrawal symptoms by long term yogic intervention.