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Effect of Yoga and Physical Exercise on Motor Functions among Substance Abusers: A Randomised Comparative Study
VC10-VC14
Correspondence
Dr. Sasidharan K Rajesh,
Department of Psychology, Swami Vivekananda Yoga Anusandhana Samsthana,
#19 Eknath Bhavan, No. 19, Gavipuram Circle, K. G. Nagar, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India.
E-mail: rajesheskay@svyasa.org
Introduction: Substance abuse disorder is characterised by severe motor function impairment. Rehabilitation programs should augment the motor function to reduce the risk of relapse. Yoga and exercise-based intervention are emerging as an add-on therapy for the management of addictive behaviours.
Aim: To evaluate the influence of yoga-based program as an add-on in augmenting the motor function in comparison to physical exercise to afresh admitted substance abusers.
Materials and Methods: The randomised, comparative study included sixty-six male participants from a residential rehabilitation unit. In addition to standard rehabilitation treatment, partakers in the yoga or physical exercise group underwent supervised daily training for 12 weeks. The study assessed the participants on Finger Tapping Task, O’Connor Tweezer Dexterity Test, and Automatic Mirror Tracer at the baseline and following 12 weeks of intervention. Group difference was calculated by chi-square test, the Mann-Whitney test or Student t-test. While, paired sample t-test was used to determine with-in group change.
Results: A significant enhancement in tapping speeds was observed in both the yoga and the exercise group at 0-10 seconds (TSI) and 10-20 seconds (TS2), but not statistically significant at 20-30 seconds (TS3). The results from the tweezer dexterity were significantly better following yoga (p< 0.001, d = 0.99) and exercise (p< 0.001, d = 0.82). Furthermore, a significant reduction was seen in Mirror tracing time after yoga (p< 0.034, d = 0.39) and exercise (p< 0.006, d = 0.53), with differences high in the exercise group. Statistically significant median decrease in mirror error score observed in yoga, z = -1.991, p = .046, but not in physical exercise z = -1.590, p = .112.
Conclusion: Current outcomes propose that the add-on yoga or physical exercise-based intervention demonstrated the enhancement of motor function. Based on authors review of literature, this is the first study that stated the potential benefit of yoga or physical exercise among substance abuse on motor function. Comprehensive trials are needed to understand the potential long-term effects on rehabilitation and relapse prevention.