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Iron deficiency anemia (IDA) is an important public health issue in India. This study was performed to determine the impact of acupuncture at the GB39, BL17, and LR13 points on hemoglobin levels, mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH), and red cell distribution width (RDW) in people with IDA. One hundred women with IDA were randomly allocated to the acupuncture group (AG) or placebo control group (PCG). For 30 minutes per day, daily for 2 weeks, the AG received acupuncture at GB39, BL17, and LR13, while the PCG received needling at non-acupuncture points. Outcomes were assessed before and after the intervention. We found a significant increase ( p < 0.001) in hemoglobin level (AG 10.39–11.38 g/dl, effect size 0.785; PCG 10.58–10.40 g/dl, effect size 0.191), MCH (AG 25.69–27.50 fl, effect size 0.418; PCG 27.43–27.23 fl, effect size 0.058), and RDW (AG 15.12–16.41 fl, effect size 0.626; PCG 14.91–14.94 fl, effect size 0.017) in the AG compared to the PCG. Results suggest that needling at the GB39, BL17, and LR13 acupuncture points is more effective in treating people with IDA than needling at non-acupuncture points.

Importance: The gut microbiome, composed of nonpathogenic bacteria, protozoa, and viruses, plays a critical role in human health through various regulatory mechanisms. Dysbiosis has been linked to multiple diseases. Acupuncture, a widely practiced complementary therapy, has been explored for its effects on microbial balance, but systematic reviews in this area remain limited. Objective: This systematic review aims to report acupuncture's role in gut microbiome modulation. Evidence Reviews: A systematic search of PubMed/Medline and Cochrane databases was conducted up to January 30, 2024, using terms including “acupuncture,” “gut,” “intestinal flora,” and “electroacupuncture.” Of 383 articles identified, five randomized controlled trials (RCTs) met inclusion criteria, focusing on bacterial taxonomic changes measured by 16S rRNA sequencing (16S ribosomal ribonucleic acid). Findings: Five RCTs (n = 457) investigated acupuncture's effects on gut microbiota in patients with Crohn's disease (n = 96), functional constipation (n = 108), antipsychotic-related constipation (n = 133), Parkinson's disease (n = 30), and knee osteoarthritis (n = 90), along with healthy individuals (n = 88). Across studies, acupuncture was associated with improved microbial diversity and increased beneficial bacterial abundance. These changes may involve modulation of the gut–brain axis, vagus nerve activation, and anti-inflammatory neuroendocrine pathways. No meta-analysis was performed due to heterogeneity in interventions and outcome measures. Conclusion and Relevance: This review provides an overview of current evidence, highlighting acupuncture's potential to modulate gut microbiota composition. Despite promising findings, the limited number of trials, population diversity, and small sample sizes restrict generalizability. Future research is required to understand the explicit mechanisms and identify acupuncture-specific bacteria in the intestine.

Diabetes mellitus is one of the most prevalent metabolic diseases. Literature suggests that yoga including a group of asanas reduces blood glucose and glycated hemoglobin levels in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). However, to the best of our knowledge, no known study evaluated the effects of a single asana (i.e., Vakrasana) in T2DM. This study aimed to determine the effect of Vakrasanana on blood glucose levels in T2DM patients. Sixty T2DM patients aged 51.12 ± 6.43 years were randomly (1:1 ratio) allocated to yoga group (YG) and control group (CG). YG was asked to perform only one session of Vakrasana, while the CG was on rest in a sitting posture for 10 minutes. Random blood glucose (RBG) levels were assessed before and after the intervention. Within-group analysis showed a significant reduction in RBG levels in YG (P < .001; Effect size (d) = 0.203), while a significant increase in RBG was observed in CG (P < .001; Effect size (d) = 0.077), compared to the respective pre-test assessments. Whereas the between-groups analysis did not show a significant difference in RBG levels between the two groups (z = 1.597; P = 0.110). However, YG had a small effect size (Effect size (d) = 0.288) in reducing RBG levels compared to CG. Ten minutes of Vakrasana has some positive effect in reducing blood glucose levels, unlike rest in sitting posture in patients with T2DM. However, further studies are required to validate the findings of this study.

Acupuncture and moxibustion are used worldwide for treating various diseases including asthma. Conception Vessel 17 (CV-17) is the influential point for the respiratory tissues. It is commonly used in the management of asthma. However, there are no known studies that report the effect of needling with moxibustion at CV-17 alone in asthma patients. Thus, this study aimed to examine the effect of acupuncture and moxibustion at CV-17 on pulmonary functions in asthma patients. In this randomized placebo-controlled study, a total of sixty participants with asthma were recruited from a medical college and hospital located in Chennai, India. All the recruited participants were randomly assigned to either the acupuncture with moxibustion group (AMG) or placebo control group (PCG). AMG received needling with moxibustion at the CV-17 acupuncture point, while PCG received needling with moxibustion at a non-acupuncture point for 20 minutes once a day, daily for 2 weeks. Within-group analysis showed a significant increase in forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expired volume in 1s (FEV1), FEV1/FVC ratio, forced expiratory flow (FEF)25-75%, and peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR) in AMG, whereas PCG showed a significant increase in only FEV1, FEV1/FVC ratio, and FEF25-75%. Furthermore, the increase in FVC, FEV1, FEV1/FVC, and PEFR were greater in AMG than PCG. None of the participants reported any serious adverse effects during the study period. Two weeks of needling with moxibustion at CV-17 improved pulmonary functions better than needling with moxibustion at a non-acupuncture point in asthma patients.

Evidence suggests that yoga is safe and effective in improving various risk factors, quality of life (QoL), and psychological burden that is related to arrhythmia. However, this is the first-ever systematic review performed to report the role of yoga in arrhythmia. We have performed a literature search using Cochrane Library, Medline/PubMed, Web of Science Core Collection, and IndMED electronic databases up to 3, January 2018. Of 240 articles, 6 potentially eligible articles were identified and included in the review. Results showed that yoga could be considered an efficient adjuvant in reducing arrhythmia (paroxysmal atrial fibrillation, ventricular tachyarrhythmia, and palpitation) related health problems; blood pressure, heart rate, depression and anxiety scores; and in improving health-related QoL of arrhythmia patients. However, there is a lack of randomized controlled trials and a clear mechanism behind the effect of yoga; studies had relatively a small sample size and different yoga protocols.

Obesity increases the risk of diseases such as type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), hepatic steatosis, cardiovascular diseases, cancer, etc. Unhealthy food habits and lack of physical activity play an important role in obesity. Yoga and naturopathy provide holistic and individualized care to treat the disease by promoting the innate self-healing capacity and thus may be beneficial in obesity management. This study aimed to assess the impact of a residential yoga and naturopathy intervention on weight and other cardiovascular risk factors in patients with obesity. A retrospective study design was adopted in which data between August 2019 and October 2022 were screened from hospital inpatient records and 452 eligible patients' data were included. Subjects received a residential yoga and naturopathy intervention. Their baseline and post-intervention parameters were extracted and data were analyzed using the Wilcoxon Signed Rank Test. A significant reduction was observed in weight, body mass index, hip circumference, waist circumference, waist-hip ratio, mid-arm circumference, mid-thigh circumference, blood pressure, pulse rate, mean arterial pressure, rate pressure product, double product, fasting blood glucose, total cholesterol, and perceived stress scale score after yoga and naturopathy intervention. However, no significant changes were noticed in postprandial blood glucose levels in the post-test compared to the pre-test assessments. Residential yoga and naturopathy intervention have a potential therapeutic impact in reducing weight and its associated cardiovascular risk factors in patients with obesity. However, prospective randomized controlled trials are recommended to validate the study findings.

Appendicitis is the most common condition that affects approximately 233 cases/100 000 people. In general, conventional treatments can often involve invasive procedures, the patients seek alternative therapies for a variety of reasons, such as preserving the anatomical and functional integrity of the body, fear of surgery, financial issues, etc. A 21-year-old female was diagnosed with appendicitis in October 2015 using ultrasonography of the abdomen visited our hospital. She underwent conventional management for pain in a private hospital for 2-days. Then, she was admitted to a yoga and naturopathy hospital with the symptoms of poor appetite, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. The patient received yoga and naturopathy treatments such as warm water enema, cold hip bath, cold abdomen pack, gastro hepatic pack, direct mud application to the abdomen, mud pack to abdomen and eyes, fasting therapy, pranayama and relaxation techniques for 1 week. The patient was advised to undergo ultrasonography of the abdomen after 1 week of treatment. The results showed no sign of appendicitis [i.e., a) no inflammation, b) no dilation of bowel, and c) Bowel movements are seen) compared to the pre-test assessments [i.e., a) evidence of long tubular oedematous, aperistaltic structure with perilesional inflammatory changes, b) Severe probe tenderness, and c) Appendicitis measures 8 mm in size suggestive of acute appendicitis] was noted in the ultrasonography report. In addition, the patient did not report any serious adverse events during the study period. This result suggests that yoga and naturopathy systems of medicine, in addition to conventional pain management during acute (painful) conditions might be useful in cases of appendicitis. However, as the result is based on a single case, further studies with a larger sample size are recommended to warrant the results of this study.Appendicitis is the most common condition that affects approximately 233 cases/100 000 people. In general, conventional treatments can often involve invasive procedures, the patients seek alternative therapies for a variety of reasons, such as preserving the anatomical and functional integrity of the body, fear of surgery, financial issues, etc. A 21-year-old female was diagnosed with appendicitis in October 2015 using ultrasonography of the abdomen visited our hospital. She underwent conventional management for pain in a private hospital for 2-days. Then, she was admitted to a yoga and naturopathy hospital with the symptoms of poor appetite, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. The patient received yoga and naturopathy treatments such as warm water enema, cold hip bath, cold abdomen pack, gastro hepatic pack, direct mud application to the abdomen, mud pack to abdomen and eyes, fasting therapy, pranayama and relaxation techniques for 1 week. The patient was advised to undergo ultrasonography of the abdomen after 1 week of treatment. The results showed no sign of appendicitis [i.e., a) no inflammation, b) no dilation of bowel, and c) Bowel movements are seen) compared to the pre-test assessments [i.e., a) evidence of long tubular oedematous, aperistaltic structure with perilesional inflammatory changes, b) Severe probe tenderness, and c) Appendicitis measures 8 mm in size suggestive of acute appendicitis] was noted in the ultrasonography report. In addition, the patient did not report any serious adverse events during the study period. This result suggests that yoga and naturopathy systems of medicine, in addition to conventional pain management during acute (painful) conditions might be useful in cases of appendicitis. However, as the result is based on a single case, further studies with a larger sample size are recommended to warrant the results of this study.

•Though an addition of 100-ml of bell pepper juice (twice/day) along with IAYT is not more effective in reducing fasting blood glucose, it may be more effective in reducing PPBG, SBP, PP and RPP than IAYT alone.•No serious adverse effect had been reported.•Addition of 100-ml bell pepper juice (twice/day) along with IAYT can be considered as a feasible, safe, and cost effective adjuvant in the management of diabetes. Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a major global health problem. Though various studies have reported the beneficial effect of Yoga in patient with T2DM, there is a lack of study in combination with bell pepper and yoga. Hence, the present study aims at evaluating short-term effect of add on bell pepper juice with integrated approach of yoga therapy (IAYT) on blood glucose levels and cardiovascular variables in patients with T2DM. Fifty T2DM subjects with the age varied from 34 to 69-years were recruited and randomly divided into either study group or control group. The study group received 100-ml of bell pepper juice (twice/day) along with IAYT while the control group received only IAYT for 4-consecutive days. Baseline and post-test assessments were taken before and after the intervention. Statistical analysis was performed using statistical package for the social sciences, version-16. Results of this study showed no significant difference in overall (fasting and post prandial) blood glucose level in the study group compared with control group. However, a significant reduction in Post prandial blood glucose (PPBG), systolic blood pressure (SBP), pulse pressure (PP), rate pressure product (RPP) and Double product (Do-P) was observed in the study group compared with control group. Results of this study suggest that though an addition of 100-ml of bell pepper juice (twice/day) along with IAYT is not more effective in reducing fasting blood glucose, it may be more effective in reducing PPBG, SBP, PP, RPP and Do-P than IAYT alone.

Obesity is associated with chronic diseases, including metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). Fasting is commonly employed by obese people to reduce their weight. Likewise, yoga and naturopathy (YN) that include liquid fasting (LF) have been shown to be beneficial in reducing weight for people with metabolic disorders. However, the safety of LF during YN treatments and its effects on metabolic and cardiovascular risk factors haven't yet been reported. The study intended to evaluate the safety of LF during YN treatments and its effects on metabolic and cardiovascular risk factors in people with obesity. A single-group, pretest-and-posttest design was adopted for the study. The study took place in a YN hospital located in South India. Participants were 176 obese people aged between 18 and 65 years. Together with YN treatments, all participants underwent LF using lime juice with jaggery, ash guard juice, vegetable soup, buttermilk, and kokum juice for a period of 5 consecutive days. Assessments such as body weight, body mass index (BMI), fat mass, lipid profile, and blood pressure were taken at baseline and postintervention. Participants showed a significant reduction in body weight, BMI, fat mass, triglycerides (TG), total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), very-low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (VLDL-C), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), systolic blood pressure (SBP), and diastolic blood pressure (DBP). The results suggest that LF during YN treatment canbe effective in reducing metabolic and cardiovascular risk factors in people with obesity.

Academic performance and excellence of college students are mainly depending on their cognitive functions. The purpose of this study was to examine the effectiveness of a yogic lock or hold, Moola bandha (perineum contraction) on cognitive functions of teacher training college students. Twenty-three healthy volunteers with the mean ± standard deviation age of 21.96 ± 1.64 years were recruited from a district institute of education and training (DIET) college, North India. All the subjects were asked to perform Moola bandha for the duration of 30 min a day (15 min in the morning and 15 min in the evening) for a period of 30 days. Assessments were taken before and after the intervention period. Results of this study showed a significant increase in the scores of d2 attention total number, digits span forward and backward test, Stroop tasks (neutral total and correct, congruent total and correct, and incongruent correct), and self-control scale along with a significant reduction in d2 attention (omission, commission, and timings), trail making text A and B duration, and positive and negative affective schedule’s negative affect scores compared with its respective baseline. These results suggest that 30 min of daily practice of Moola bandha for 30 days is effective in improving the cognitive functions of teacher training college students.