Effects of Yoga on Pulmonary Parameters, Posture, Body Awareness, and Quality of Life Among Smokers.

Background: Smoking is considered one of the most important public health problems globally, and smokers have reduced lung functions, poor posture, and lower quality of life.

Primary study objective: To evaluate the effects of yoga practice among chronic smokers.

Methods: This case-control study included 28 participants with a power independent of 0.8 and an alpha (α) error of 0.05.

Setting: Fizyoram Physical Therapy Center.

Participants: A total of 28 participants were divided into the Smoker Group (SG) (n = 14) and Control Group (CG) (n = 14) according to the Fagerström Cigarette Dependence Test (FT).

Intervention: The participants performed yoga, including active movements and poses while standing (Asana) and voluntarily regulated breathing (Pranayama), twice a week for six weeks.

Primary outcome measures: All the volunteers were assessed for pulmonary functions and respiratory muscle strength, including Maximum Inspiratory Pressure (MIP) and Maximum Expiratory Pressure (MEP). Furthermore, posture, body awareness, and quality of life were evaluated using the New York Postural Rating Chart, Body Awareness Questionnaire, and World Health Organization Quality of Life Questionnaire.

Results: The study showed that yoga led to statistical differences in pulmonary functions, respiratory muscle strength, posture, and quality of life in both groups (P < .05). Moreover, the change in MIP and MIP% was statistically higher in CG (P < .05) compared to SG. Lastly, SG experienced a significant lowering of FT scores from pre- to post-intervention (P = .001).

Conclusion: We found that yoga training can improve pulmonary parameters, posture, body awareness, and quality of life in smokers as healthy comparators. Thus, we suggest that practicing yoga not only enhances health-related functions but can also facilitate smoking cessation.