Association of Regular Yoga Practice with Metabolic and Physiological Health in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A Cross-Sectional Study

PURPOSE: The present study aimed to examine whether regular yoga practice is associated with differences in metabolic, cardiopulmonary, cognitive, and psychological health among patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). METHODS: This analytical cross-sectional study included 236 adults with T2DM, comprising 79 regular yoga practitioners and 157 non-practitioners. Anthropometric measurements, fasting blood glucose, HbA1c, lipid profile, blood pressure, peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR), heart rate variability (HRV), Diabetic Neuropathy Score (DNS), Letter Cancellation Test (LCT), and Depression Anxiety Stress Scale-21 (DASS-21) scores were assessed using standardized procedures. Data were analyzed using the unpaired Student's t-test and Chi-square test, with P < 0.05 considered statistically significant. RESULTS: Compared with non-practitioners, participants practicing yoga demonstrated significantly lower fasting blood glucose, HbA1c, total cholesterol, triglycerides, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, systolic blood pressure, diabetic neuropathy scores, anxiety, and stress levels (P < 0.05). They also demonstrated better cognitive performance on the Letter Cancellation Test (P = 0.041). CONCLUSIONS: Regular yoga practice was associated with better metabolic control, selected cardiopulmonary parameters, cognitive performance, and psychological well-being among patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. These findings suggest a potential role for yoga as a complementary lifestyle practice; however, prospective randomized controlled studies are required to establish causality.